Kells 150MW battery storage plan recommended for approval amid 37 local objections

Site plan for the proposed BESS in rural Kells, Ballymena

A proposed 150MW battery energy storage facility (BESS) at Lisnunnan Road, Kells, is set to be considered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday night (February 16), with planning officers recommending approval subject to conditions.

The application, submitted by Valor Power of 73 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, seeks permission for the erection of a large-scale battery storage facility in the countryside outside any development limit defined within the Antrim Area Plan 1984–2001.

150MW battery storage facility proposed for rural Kells site

The proposed development would be located approximately 130 metres east of No. 64 Lisnunnan Road and 130 metres south-west of No. 89a Carncome Road, Kells.

The site forms part of an existing agricultural field comprising improved grassland and sits within an undulating rural landscape characterised predominantly by farm holdings and associated dwellings.

Kells Substation is situated around 800 metres north of the site along Maxwells Road.

Proposed plan for the new BESS in Kells, Ballymena

Site location map for proposed BESS in Kells, County Antrim across fields from both Lislunnan Road, and Carncome Road.

The application includes:

• 30 battery units, each measuring approximately 3m in height, 2.5m in depth and 6m in width

• Associated inverters and transformers, with each battery system paired with its own transformer

• A 110kV substation with associated transformers

• A SONI/NIE switch house and a customer switch house

• A control room with photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof

• Lighting columns and CCTV columns

• Boundary fencing and landscaping

• Installation of water hydrants

• Ancillary works including construction of a new access from Lisnunnan Road

The majority of the development would be set back around 120 metres from the roadside. A new access would replace an existing agricultural field gate, requiring the removal of approximately 30 metres of hedgerow along Lisnunnan Road.

Consultation responses and statutory feedback

A wide range of statutory consultees have raised no objection to the proposal, subject in some cases to conditions. These include:

• Environmental Health Section

• DfI Roads

• Health and Safety Executive

• Northern Ireland Water

• DAERA Natural Environment Division

• DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division

• DAERA Water Management Unit

• DAERA Regulation Unit

• DfI Rivers

• Northern Ireland Electricity

• Historic Environment Division

• Shared Environmental Services

Five neighbouring properties were formally notified. A total of 37 letters of representation and one non-committal comment were received.

Objections raise concerns over rural character, safety and environmental impact

Existing views (top) and proposed views (bottom) for new BESS in Kells, Ballymena

The objections cite a range of issues, including:

• Alleged non-compliance with planning policy

• Concerns about impact on Lough Neagh

• Visual amenity and rural character impacts

• Fire and public safety concerns

• Noise concerns

• Impact on neighbour amenity

• Lack of decommissioning plans

• Absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• Concerns regarding protected species and environmental impact

• Objections to CCTV positioning

• Drainage concerns relating to land ownership

• The size and industrial appearance of the site

• Availability of alternative sites

One non-committal comment expressed support for renewable energy projects and supporting infrastructure but noted the significant level of local objection and concern.

Design, landscaping and visual impact assessment

Planning policy assessment has been carried out under the Antrim and Newtownabbey Local Development Plan – Plan Strategy (ANPS), including policies relating to rural design and character.

The battery enclosures would be painted green to aid integration, while the two switch rooms would feature concrete black roof tiles, grey rendered walls and grey metal doors. A 2.4m high green palisade security fence is proposed around the site, alongside a low-level stock-proof fence and new hedgerow planting.

Significant landscaping is proposed, including a woodland buffer approximately 10 metres deep along the northern boundary, as well as further planting along the western and eastern boundaries. A Landscape Management and Maintenance Plan and associated Landscape Plan have been submitted.

Photomontages submitted by the applicant illustrate the site after one year and between five and ten years of planting maturity.

Planning officers acknowledge there would be a short-term visual impact, particularly from Lisnunnan Road and Carncome Road, due to the immature nature of new planting. However, they conclude that as landscaping matures, screening would significantly reduce visual effects.

While officers accept there would be a short-term impact on rural character, they state this would be localised and mitigated by the site’s setback from the road and proposed planting.

On balance, they consider the development capable of integrating into the rural area without significant long-term detrimental impact.

Previous refusal in area cited by objectors

Some objections referenced a previous planning refusal for a dwelling and garage approximately 180 metres east of No. 58 Lisnunnan Road, which was refused in January 2004 on visual integration grounds.

Planning officers state that the earlier proposal related to a roadside residential dwelling assessed under different planning policy and differs from the current BESS proposal, which must be considered in the context of the ANPS.

They also note the current scheme is set significantly further back from the roadside.

Residents voice distress and safety concerns

A spokesperson for concerned local residents, speaking to Love Ballymena, said:

“This would be the 4th such infrastructure in the area, spoiling the rural setting. Especially as it would sit on the hillside.

“Local residents are distraught. Obviously any concerns brought to planning need to be policy and law. But there is no consideration to the emotional and mental affects of this monstrosity being built near homes with young children, never mind how it will affect house prices in the area.

“Some of us feel stuck and feel like we are being pushed out of our rural homes if this is allowed to go ahead.”

The spokesperson added:

“These facilities have had major fires before, resulting in toxic gasses being leaked into water/air and land and homes within 100-500m being evacuated. So it could happen again. We have no concrete guarantee of our safety.”

The Planning Committee will consider the officer’s recommendation and representations before reaching a decision.