Cubico are at it again!

This time Cubico want to set up a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in green belt next to the main road between Norden and Turn village. Please click on the following link if you’d like to comment on their proposal:

BESS Planning Application 2024/0501

If you do want to comment please consider the following planning aspects:

1. Environmental Impact: Highlight concerns about potential harm to local ecosystems, including risks to wildlife, vegetation, and water sources (the site is in a drinking water safety zone).
2. Safety Risks: Address fire hazards, explosion risks, and the handling of dangerous substances, especially in proximity to residential areas (don’t forget lithium batteries suffer from thermal runaway and how far the wind will carry any pollution).
3. Noise Pollution: Discuss the impact of operational noise from cooling systems and other equipment on nearby communities.
4. Visual Impact: Raise concerns about how the installation might affect the landscape or views, particularly in heritage or conservation areas (it will affect three SSSI sites, Peel Tower and the Cheesden valley).
5. Traffic and Access: Question the adequacy of vehicular access for construction and maintenance, and potential disruptions to local traffic (a battery fire would close the A680).
6. Flood Risk: If the site is prone to flooding, emphasise the dangers of water damage to the system and its surroundings.
7. Consultation Process: Critique the adequacy of public consultation and whether local stakeholders were given sufficient opportunity to voice concerns.
8. Planning Policy Compliance: Examine whether the proposal aligns with local and national planning policies (the site is in green belt, which should NOT be developed).
9. Alternative Locations: Suggest that other sites might be more suitable, minimizing the impact on sensitive areas (an industrial estate near to a electricity substation would be perfect).
10. Long-Term Management: Question plans for decommissioning and disposal of batteries at the end of their lifecycle.

If you would like to provide more detail we have put together a detailed discussion post which you might find helpful.

Also, please write to your MP asking them to support the Battery Energy Storage Systems (Fire Safety) Bill, which should have its second reading 11 July 2025 – see: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3806