AN application to construct an electricity substation has been approved despite objections from residents.

The substation will be built on Mill Lane, near Nursling, to support a lithium battery storage facility which has already received planning approval. The application was submitted by Warren Cann.

The plan sparked multiple objections from residents.

READ MORE: Concern over national park consultation on planning rules

At a meeting of the Test Valley Borough Council Southern Area Planning Committee on Tuesday, August 15, Cllr Terese Swain, reading a statement from residents, asked the committee to “avoid the urbanisation of the environment”, and raised concerns for woodland around the site, saying that residents were concerned that the developers would create routes to get to the rear of the site without having to go through it.

She also raised concerns about the new government guidelines for lithium battery storage facilities, saying: “I ask that this application is deferred until we know more about the battery facility. We do not know what is going on with fire safety regulations.”

Jake Stentiford, agent for the application, confirmed that the substation will be built at the rear of the site and that while construction is ongoing all materials will be brought through the site.

SEE ALSO: Festival organiser confirms that event is staying in Hampshire village

He also said that a management plan would be created and shared with Test Valley Borough Council officers.

Councillors also dismissed concerns about the battery storage facility, as it has already received planning permission.

Cllr Phillip Bundy said: “At the end of the day we have got to make sure that we support the substation. We would have to have a very good planning reason to refuse this application as the benefit exists. Do we need a deferment until the issue of battery storage is sorted? That could take some time and may require another planning application.”

“I would find it difficult to find a further reason to reject it.”