Chilworth electrical battery storage facility at angry meeting

A sizeable crowd was left stunned as Test Valley Borough Council's planning committee narrowly permitted the scheme.

One member of the public stormed out of the meeting, saying the chairman, Cllr Mark Cooper, was 'out of order' for supporting the plan. He added: "I'm sorry, I'm leaving. That's rubbish."

The committee was often punctuated by discontent with around 40 people in attendance. When members spoke in objection, applause broke out. 

Boom Development's facility on land south west of Misslebrook Copse, Chilworth, includes a substation, transformer, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping on land south west of Misslebrook Copse, Chilworth.

Residents were angry that the development would be built in a desiginated local gap. Fears were also raised about potential fire risks of battery storage facilities and resulting toxic fumes. 

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Despite this, the southern area planning committee approved it on Tuesday, April 2 with seven votes for, four against and one abstention. 

Malcolm Henley, from Chilworth Parish Council spoke in objection. He said: “This will destroy life as we know it. Despite the amendments made, the parish council still objects. It will have a detrimental impact on the local gap. 

“The sheer size of it is not compatible with the area. It will create a fire risk close to our local nursery and school.”

Mr Henley added that its size will be the same as two football pitches. 

Fellow objector Colin Richards said: “We want to protect this unique location for the future. We recognise the need for this, but not in this location. The scale of the proposal is imposing. We urge you to protect this land.”

Borough councillor Terese Swain, who represents the Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams ward, said: “This is against our policies so permission should be denied. The compound will be clearly visible and it's in the local gap. 

“We are not against renewable energy, but we feel this is the wrong location. This site has been chosen for financial reasons. This could open the flood gates for more applications like this.”

The application's agent Nick Beddoe said: “There is a huge shortfall in electricity supply. Electricity demand is due to double by 2025. This will increase the capacity of the local electricity network. Every facility is essential to cope with demand. This will power 25,000 homes at any one time.”

In debate, Cllr Philip Bundy said: “This could be an environmental disaster if it went wrong. Once it catches fire, you can't put it out, it's not possible. The biggest reason for refusal has got to be the local gap.”

Cllr Celia Dowden said: “We all know this kind of application is very new for us. We have to make these difficult decisions. We can't ignore the consequences of climate change. We can't keep kicking these down the road.”

Cllr Alan Dowden said: “Nobody has fought harder for local gaps than me. But we have to think of our children and grandchildren. How are we going to survive without energy? I support the application.”