Mid Suffolk councillors approve energy storage in best-quality agricultural land in Bramford, near Ipswich despite concerns

Plans to build an energy storage system in best-quality agricultural land have been approved despite concerns.

Mid Suffolk councillors discussed Clearstone Energy's plans to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on land adjacent to Bullen Lane, in Bramford, near Ipswich, yesterday evening.

The storage system would operate for 40 years on mostly best-quality agricultural land before being removed and would import, store and export 400 megawatts of energy.

The company said it would make a significant contribution to meeting national and local policy targets to decarbonise the energy network.

Simon Rothwell, director of policy and strategy at Clearstone Energy, said: "As the UK transitions to a new energy system powered by wind and solar, battery energy storage has a crucial role to play in delivering a secure and reliable electricity supply to homes and businesses."

But the plans received criticism from Bramford, Burstall and Sproughton parish councils as well as four residents, who raised concerns including noise impacts, overdevelopment and fire risk.

In a statement, Bramford Parish Council said it accepted and supported the need for renewable energy, but not at any cost.

Cllr William Petersen, of Burstall Parish Council, said the site had been cherry-picked with self-imposed restrictions and was 'not for the public need'.

He urged councillors not to approve the application until worst-case planning and mitigation had been completed.

One letter of support was submitted by a resident.

During the two-hour meeting, councillors raised most of these concerns directly with company representatives in the form of questions.

Addressing the use of best-quality agricultural land, Mr Rothwell said other sites had been explored but were limited.

Planning officers argued in the council report the loss would be time-limited to 40 years, would be reversible and would not 'unduly hinder the ongoing agricultural use and operation of the surrounding land'.

The report added the development would be built in a way to avoid the areas of highest quality land within the site.

On fire risk, the fire service advised they were satisfied with the information submitted as part of the application.

Mr Rothwell said the risk would be 'negligible' after mitigations were put in place, but committed to detailed emergency response planning.

He added: "We do really recognise concerns about battery safety and we've worked extensively with fire safety experts to ensure that is effectively managed with this site."

During the debate, several councillors suggested they were somewhat uncomfortable with the application but had to weigh concerns against the need for renewable energy.

When it came to voting, councillors decided to approve the application subject to conditions, with five votes for and three against.

This means the BESS will join two other approved storage systems nearby, of 49.9 and 100 megawatts each, approved in 2019 and 2022 respectively.