Pound Road Bess , Land North East Of Axminster National Grid Substation, Pound Road, Hawkchurch, EX13 5XN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including any potential cumulative impact
• whether the proposal represents a renewable energy or low carbon scheme for the purpose of the development plan
• the effect of the proposal on the use of best and most versatile agricultural land and whether any loss of such land would be justified
• whether there is sufficient information on the health and safety measures proposed and the extent to which there would be significant risk to local residents and the environment

What decided it

Insufficient evidence that the detailed battery layout, single emergency access and firewater containment arrangements would not pose a significant risk to local residents and the environment, particularly the risk of aquifer contamination.

The significant benefits of the energy storage scheme (grid management, economic benefits, biodiversity gain) were found not to outweigh the considerable harm arising from unresolved fire safety and groundwater contamination risks, so the balance tipped against the proposal and it was found contrary to the development plan as a whole.