Rossendale refuses Scout Moor energy storage
Cubico Sustainable Investments’ plan to install a battery energy storage system on 15 acres of Green Belt off Rochdale Road close to the wind farm has suffered a setback after the local authority moved to reject the plan.
Councillors deemed the BESS as a threat to Green Belt, in addition to raising more minor concerns around access and road safety.
The BESS would store energy from both the National Grid and the nearby Scout Moor wind farm with a capacity of 85MW.
Surplus power would then be released to the electricity grid for consumption during times of under-production from renewables, reducing reliance on fossil fuels to pick up the slack.
In its application, Cubico insisted the proposed development would meet the threshold for “very special circumstances” required to justify development in the Green Belt in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Cubico stated the application would “support the achievement of legal obligations and policy goals related to climate change and national energy security”.
Before the development management committee held on 2 September, Rossendale Council was told a call-in request had been received by the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
As a result, a holding direction was issued, meaning approval could not be granted without a decision from the Secretary of State.
The application was subsequently rejected by the committee anyway, meaning the Whitehall did not need to give permission.
- BOOK NOW: Energy & Power 2025
A spokesperson for Cubico told Place North West: “We acknowledge the decision by Rossendale Council to refuse our application.
“While we are disappointed by the outcome, we will take time to carefully review the reasons given by members.
“We remain committed to working constructively with the council, local communities, and stakeholders to explore how best to deliver the energy security, environmental improvements, and economic opportunities this project can bring to Rossendale.”
Scout Moor wind farm is currently the second largest onshore wind farm in the country – however, Cubico plans the £200m Scout Moor Two, which is currently under consideration, to surpass it when complete.
To view the application, use the planning reference number 2024/0501 on Rossendale Council’s planning portal.
This is precisely why the scheme of delegation needs changed. Hopefully Labour do not water down their plans to limit planning committee involvement on such important projects that are necessary to secure sustainable homegrown energy supply.
By Anonymous
I know its Greenbelt although energy security should take precedence in my view and it makes sense to store energy if the power has already been generated.UK Energy policy is woeful and demand is on the increase. Mr Magoo syndrome is prevalent.
By Waldo
A rare example of the Green Belt being protected .
By Wislon
Shortsighted decision which hopefully will get overturned.
By Anonymous
We need to have a frank conversation about the Pennine parts of GM that are greenbelt – it’s extremely low quality agricultural land (heavily subsidised), sheep farming does nothing retain storm water or reduce the risk of fires, some is beautiful, most is bleak, it’s a natural barrier to sprawl, neighbouring towns aren’t going to join up, the historic character of towns doesn’t blow you away. Honestly, they need to reforested, used for reservoirs and green energy, the villages/town with rail links should take housing.
By Rich X
what did the officer reccomend….
By Anonymous