Councillor Falak Ahmed, councillor for Bingley Rural Ward, has been approached by many residents who have serious concerns regarding proposed plans to build Battery Storage Facilities within their villages. Yesterday at Full Council Councillor Falak Ahmed asked the question
"Would the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport please confirm what plans are in place for Energy Storage Batteries in rural areas throughout the Bradford District?"
Response
"In the last couple of years, the Council has assessed proposals for battery storage facilities from specialist companies through the determination of planning applications. These include proposals at Midland Road, Manningham by Max Midland Road Bess, Land to the North Of Duncombe Road by Grid Green Ltd, Land at Old Allen Road, Wilsden by Renewable Connections Developments Limited, and Land West Of Manywells Brow, Cullingworth by Amberside Energy Limited, for example. The Council doesn't have any specific plans for battery storage facilities on its own land and hasn't any partnership arrangements to provide such facilities. However, it continues to assess applications from providers as an when they are submitted."
Falak is still concerned that if the Council just keeps treating these planning applications as "normal" without undertaking a proper review of safety and risk it will be failing in its duty. Falak has still to receive the reply to her follow up question
"Can you reassure the residents of Cullingworth and Wilsden about the safety issues related to installing storage batteries near residential areas? This includes potential risks such as fire, chemical leaks, and structural failures that could pose a danger to those living in close proximity to the installation."
The Battery Storage Facilities often comprise of around 100 units each about the size and shape of a transport container. They are spaced apart in case of fire and cant be stacked.
The planning application for a Battery Storage Facility in Cullingworth is directly adjacent to an old tip which is still fenced off and has signs up saying "Explosive Gases - No smoking or naked Lights"!!
