Plans approved for giant solar battery field in Wrexham

Plans to turn farmland in Wrexham into a giant solar battery field have been approved on appeal.

Plans to turn an agricultural field in Rhostyllen into a solar energy storage battery were decided by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW)  inspectors after Wrexham County Borough Council’s planning committee failed to rule on them in time.

The plans will see the field on Bronwylfa Road in Legacy become the site of 118 large battery units capable of  storing up to 400 megaWatts of electricity from nearby solar farms.

This will then be fed into the National Grid via the Legacy electricity sub-station less than 2.5km away.

Opposing the plans, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council Cllr Mark Pritchard – who represents Esclusham – argued that the land should be protected under Wrexham’s Unitary Development Policy, where it is designated as a Special Landscape Area.

“Wrexham’s UDP confirms this site lies within a Special Landscape Area and no development should be allowed within this location,” he said. “Under the Environmental Wales Act 2016 hedgerows are to be prioritised and protected and within the location, I can personally confirm that there have been sightings of otters, buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks, red kites – which are legally protected in the UK – and many other bird species.

“There is also a serious issue with flooding within the area both on the field and surrounding highways.”

Residents also submitted objections.

Rhian Jones said: “I am concerned about fire safety and emergency response – how would the fire service cope with a large scale battery fire with high risk of explosion?

“That amount of battery containers in close proximity to the village and bypass bring a risk of fire and toxic smoke, contamination of the water supply and difficulties with emergency access and major incident management.”

William Taylor suggested the site’s proximity to the A483 could mean the trunk road would be forced to close should a fire break out.

Janet Owens, whose family has farmed in the area for generations, said the plans were the last straw for the area.

“This proposed site is within walking distance of many local schools, Wrexham Maelor Hospital and many thousands of homes,” she said. “You have to consider the impact this will have on the local communities.

“This area, has over the years tolerated a lot, with landfill sites etc; it has to stop.

“This proposal is not thought out by people who know the area. You heard from the local fire and rescue about the containment of the water and chemicals needed to put out a fire, how is the even possible in an area that is
know to have a high water table.

“My family have lived, worked and farmed this area for generations and I object most strongly to these fields – which are good quality arable fields – being turned into brown-belt sites.

“Once we lose our farm lands they are gone forever.”

Despite the passionate arguments made, planning inspector Tony Thickett granted the appeal by renewable energy developer Innova.

“The likelihood of a fire is extremely low and measures can be secured to safeguard those living in the vicinity if one occurs,” he said in his decision statement.

“For connection to the National Grid to be feasible, battery storage sites should ideally be within three kilometres of a connection. The Legacy substation lies in the open countryside in an area with a high percentage of best and most versatile (BMV) farmland.

“It was highly likely, therefore, a site within the optimal distance for connection would include BMV.

“The proposed development would store surplus electricity from the grid to be released at times of peak demand, building resilience in the system and supporting growth in renewable energy generation.

“Future Wales states decision‑makers must give significant weight to the need to meet Wales international commitments and the target to generate 70% of electricity by renewable means by 2030 in order to combat the climate emergency.

“I consider the scheme’s contribution to meeting the Government’s renewable energy and decarbonisation targets, combined with the site specific circumstances relating to proximity to the grid at Legacy sub-station and ability to provide a suitable access, provide the wholly exceptional circumstances to justify the loss of 54m of ancient hedgerow and outweighs the harm to the character and appearance of the area.”

By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter