Planning appeal decision
Land At Grid Reference 230351 101882, Pyworthy, Devon, EX22 6LA
Planning appeal 3358116 at Land At Grid Reference 230351 101882, Pyworthy, Devon, EX22 6LA (Torridge District Council) was allowed on 3 July 2025 by Inspector Gethin T, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding landscape, with particular regard to its countryside location.
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
- Postcode
- EX22 6LA
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.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DM08APolicy ST07
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
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More decisions in Torridge
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Allowed16 September 20266009632Land At Grid Reference 235658 108325, Holsworthy Beacon, Holsworthy, EX22 7NE
- Dismissed1 September 20266010166Nectar Haze, Bounds Cross, Pyworthy, EX22 6LH
- Dismissed12 August 20266009975Land Adjacent Allwyn, Staddon Road, Holsworthy, EX22 6NH
- Allowed6 July 20266006878Land At Pitt Bungalow, Pitt Lane, Appledore, EX39 1QB
- Dismissed18 May 20266004820Land At Grid Reference 243890 125702, High Park Close, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3HJ
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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