Land immediately to East of West Boldon Substation, 400m south of A184 & 300m East of A189, West Boldon, South Tyneside, NE36 0BG

the construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System consisting of a landscaped compound surrounded by perimeter landscaping, accommodating up to 360 energy storage cabinets, associated power converter units, a grid connection compound containing a large transformer and air-insulated switchgear; two control rooms (one for the battery operator and one for the network operator); a site office, a storage container, and 7 CCTV masts

Authority: South Tyneside Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: utilities-energy · Other Major Developments
Inspector: Hughes L

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within it
the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
the effect of the proposal on ecology
whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial weight given to the proposal's significant contribution to mitigating climate change and regulating electricity flows, combined with minor biodiversity and economic benefits, clearly outweighed the moderate harm to Green Belt openness and character and appearance, establishing the very special circumstances necessary to justify inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

Framework references: 11, 142, 143, 152, 153, 154, 155, 157

Plan policies cited: CS Policy EA1(B), CS Policy EA1, CS Policy EA3, DMP Policy DM1(A), DMP Policy DM7, DMP Policy DM1(I)

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.