Land east of Stenson Lane, DE73 7HL

the installation and operation of an Energy Storage System (ESS), including energy storage units, substation, site access, cable connection, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure

Authority: South Derbyshire District 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 proposed development on Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land

What decided it

The loss of 3.5 hectares of Grade 3a BMVAL, representing only 0.03% of South Derbyshire's agricultural land and not permanent due to decommissioning and soil restoration conditions, does not constitute a significant impact individually or cumulatively, and no viable alternative sites with lower quality soils were available within the necessary cable connection radius.

Framework references: 11, 57, 161, 168, 187, 188

Plan policies cited: Policy BNE4, Policy SD6(A)(i), Policy BNE5(v)

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