Land At Grid Reference 230351 101882, Pyworthy, Devon, EX22 6LA

Stoneworthy Energy Storage System is a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) comprising approximately 32no. battery enclosures, 16no. PCS (power conversion systems), 16no. MV skids (PCS transformer and switchgear), a 33kV substation building with a high voltage area containing auxiliary transformer and grid compliance equipment, a 132kV grid transformer with associated equipment and a grid connection to a National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) overhead line

Authority: Torridge District Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: utilities-energy · Other Major Developments
Inspector: Gethin T

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding landscape, with particular regard to its countryside location

What decided it

The substantial economic, social and environmental benefits of the battery energy storage facility in supporting renewable energy supply, energy security, and achieving net zero carbon targets outweigh the localised and limited landscape harm and resulting conflict with the development plan.

Plan policies cited: Policy DM08A, Policy ST07

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.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

Every English appeal since 2016, with the letter behind it wherever the Inspectorate published one. Searched by meaning as well as by words, with the key case law counted live across the letters.

Casework that chases the deadlines. Applications, appeals and conditions with their statutory dates.

The judgement stays yours. The tool gathers the material and dates it.