To the residents of Armitage with Handscare ward:
I am the Liberal Democrat candidate in the upcoming by-election on December 11, and I have been hearing a lot about the proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) at Hawksyard.
Sadly, because I believe this will be classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project, I fear the application may eventually be approved. Even if the Council Planning Committee refuses the application, it could go to appeal, and the refusal overturned. This would be unfortunate, to say the least, given the opposition to the proposal, but this means we must work for the best possible outcome which will cause the minimum of disruption to the community.
I have looked at many of the documents connected with the planning application, and there are several points that have given me pause for thought. Unless these issues are resolved, I do not believe that this project should go ahead.
My main concerns are:
- The apparent lack of maintenance and testing schedules for the anti-fire preventative safety features.
- I could not see mention of a plan to contain contaminated groundwater in the event of an accident.
- I am not an expert on flooding, but it does seem to me that this issue is insufficiently covered.
- The noise assessment fails to take into account the character of the residences in the Mobile Home Park and the residents in the Priory Nursing Home.
I have therefore raised these issues, along with some of the conservation issues (bats, badgers, etc.), with officers of the planning department of Lichfield District Council. If I am elected, I will use the powers of a councillor to make sure that in the event of this project going ahead, it will do so with conditions which will ensure the maximum safety and well-being of the community and residents.
Morag Maclean, Liberal Democrat candidate for Armitage with Handsacre ward
