Battery plant on farmland gets go-ahead
The application by Harmony Energy to install the facility at a six acre (2.5 hectare) site off Holmfield Lane, near Castleford, was given the go-ahead by Wakefield Council.
The 36 energy storage unit BESS would take in power from renewable sources and release them to the National Grid when demand was high, the applicants said.
A total of 49 residents objected to the scheme, citing concerns about traffic hazards along the lane, fire risks and the impact on local wildlife.
The site was originally designated as greenbelt land under Wakefield Council's Local Plan, which was adopted in January 2024.
However, it was later deemed to be "grey belt" land after the government published a revised national policy framework in December.
A planning statement submitted by the energy company said the benefits brought by the scheme would outweigh any harm, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It said the A1(M) and M62 motorways already dominated the openness of the greenbelt near Castleford.
Harmony said this type of scheme was a "vital component in the drive towards zero carbon".
"This type of technology has an important role to play across the National Grid, and at a local level in Wakefield's own target to achieve zero carbon by 2038," it stated.
West Yorkshire Fire Service called for the scheme to be designed in accordance with National Fire Chiefs Council guidelines for BESS facilities.
Proposals for a BESS facility less than half a mile away, off Stranglands Lane, next to the former Ferrybridge Power Station, were also approved last week.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Green light for battery energy storage system
Is greenbelt at more risk from move to protect it?
Wakefield Council
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
How community feedback shapes grid upgrades
East Anglia is at the heart of building Britain's energy future. With more home-grown renewable energy connecting to the network, National Grid's Norwich to Tilbury project is designed to move that cleaner power to homes, businesses and public services across Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond, boosting energy security and economic growth. Listening to local people is a vital part of how National Grid shapes these projects. Alongside surveys, technical and engineering considerations, feedback received from communities helps guide decisions and improve proposals. Leading this effort on the Norwich to Tilbury project is Becky Cail, lead consents officer. Her job is to make sure what people tell National Grid really counts. With a background in environmental management, Becky joined National Grid two years ago, having previously worked on other major projects including Crossrail and National Grid's Bramford to Twinstead upgrade project. This experience helps her balance environmental concerns with community interests. As Becky explains, feedback comes in many forms – emails, letters, public meetings and informal conversations. 'We read every single submitted comment carefully and identify the changes being requested,' she said. 'That way we can understand what matters most to people and make sure no concerns are missed.' The Norwich to Tilbury project has received around 20,000 pieces of feedback so far. Becky said managing this volume is challenging but rewarding. 'It takes time, but it's worth it,' she added. 'We carefully review each piece of feedback and assess which changes can realistically be made, within the planning rules set by government.' Becky Cail leads the team making sure community feedback is carefully considered every step of the way (Image: National Grid) Becky highlights several examples where community feedback has led to meaningful changes, including concerns raised about the visual impact of overhead power lines near Great Horkesley, close to Dedham Vale National Landscape. As a result, the project team introduced an underground cable section in this sensitive area. 'We have listened to concerns about traffic impact and included plans for temporary haul roads to avoid passing through villages, including the introduction of a bypass haul road at Holton St Mary,' said Becky. 'We also received feedback from Thurrock Airfield, and as a result we have introduced lower height pylons in this location.' These examples show how local knowledge helps improve the project. 'Communities know their areas best,' Becky added. 'When people see their feedback making a difference, it builds trust and shows we're listening.' The process is ongoing. Becky and her team are still reviewing feedback from the consultations. The project will submit a detailed feedback report alongside its development application, including all comments received so far. Previous reports from 2022 and 2023 are already published online. 'We've made hundreds of changes based on what we've heard,' said Becky. 'Listening to people is a key part of developing a project that will bring more renewable energy benefits to everyone.' For more information and to see previous feedback reports, please visit This article is part of LOCALiQ's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Map shows where 26,000 houses could be built in Swindon
Thousands of houses could be built in several areas in and around Swindon, according to the local plan. Swindon Borough Council has come up with a draft new Local Plan after something of a false start in 2022. The plan envisages that nearly 26,000 homes will be built between now and 2044, and most of them will be built in five 'strategic housing allocations' shown on the map in purple. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 (Image: Swindon Borough Council) They are the Wichelstowe development which is already well in progress, the New Eastern Villages to the east of the A419, which could see as many as 9,000 of the total built, an increase in the Badbury Park area, in the corner formed by the M4 and the A419, at the Kingsdown allocation south of Blunsdon and a large allocation expanding Tadpole Garden Village northwards. The plan also shows a desire to create, or bring back, a lot more housing to central Swindon. The new plan shows there could be 4,300 flats and houses built in the town centre, with 1,358 allocated to land north of the Railway Station and 1016 for the Brunel Quarter including the area now occupied by the tented market and until recently by the House of Fraser store. Recommended Reading 200 houses could be built on 13 secret publicly owned sites in town Questions over future of Oasis as centre plans granted but flats rejected Council could buy 66 new council houses and flats at Moredon Rec construction The total allocation for the New Eastern Villages is now 9,389, and Kingsdown has 1,847 homes set to be built there, with another 1,620 set for Wichelstowe and an allocation for 513 north of Tadpole Garden Village. Although not shown on the map, East Wroughton is also a strategic allocation with space for 1,027 homes. Outside of the strategic allocations, there are significant numbers of homes planned for the regeneration of Marlowe Avenue at 976 and 814 for Pipers Way. The map also shows areas designated as zones of non-coalescence. The largest is the zone running along the southern border of the NEV, designed to stop Swindon's growth swallowing up Wanborough, and also a smaller area between the expanded South Marston and Rowborough NEV and the planned developments south of the A420. Wichelstowe and Wroughton will be separated by a non-coalescence zone, as well as the M4, and one is allocated between the south of Broad Blunsdon and the northern edges of the Kingsdown allocation. (Image: Swindon Borough Council) The map also shows the existing and planned public open green spaces, with a notable lack of open spaces in North Walcot, Gorse Hill and Stratton St Margaret. Nature reserves like Coate Water, Barbury Castle and Sevenfields in Penhill are shown in a brighter green with a darker border. The council's cabinet has endorsed putting the new draft plan out to public consultation for six weeks from September 1 – a decision that must be confirmed by the full council. Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins said: 'This is an important piece of work setting out the development of Swindon. It's important to get both cross-party support and to put it out for consultation after the summer break.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
GSSG Chikuden Launches with US$400M Commitment from Vision Ridge Partners
New Utility-Scale Battery Storage Developer Established as Joint Venture Partnership Between GSSG Solar and Vision Ridge GSSG Chikuden Seeks to Accelerate the Japanese Energy Transition Through Development, Construction and Operation of Utility-Scale Battery Storage TOKYO, July 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GSSG Chikuden, LLC ("GSSG Chikuden" or the "Company"), a utility-scale battery storage developer dedicated to accelerating the Japanese energy transition, today announced the launch of its business with a US$400 million commitment from Vision Ridge Partners ("Vision Ridge"), a global sustainable real assets investor. GSSG Chikuden will use the investment to support its development, construction and operation of utility-scale battery energy storage systems ("BESS") across Japan's power grid. GSSG Chikuden was established as a joint venture partnership between Vision Ridge and GSSG Solar, LLC ("GSSG Solar"), building upon their longstanding relationship and shared vision for advancing the global transition to sustainability. The GSSG Solar management team, which has committed capital to GSSG Chikuden alongside Vision Ridge, will operate the Company, seeking to leverage its extensive boots on-the-ground experience, broad network, and history of energy project development across Japan's power markets. GSSG Chikuden launches with an existing pipeline of development projects with secured grid interconnection rights and will look to opportunistically acquire projects to expand its reach. "As demand for clean power continues to rise, we are proud to launch GSSG Chikuden with the goal of supporting the urgent need for reliable, grid-scale energy storage infrastructure across the Japanese power market," said Tomakin Archambault, Managing Partner and CEO of GSSG Solar. "We believe the commitment by Vision Ridge, a recognized investor with a history of backing BESS, helps validate our mission, strategy and team. We look forward to deploying GSSG Chikuden's regional expertise and technology to execute on the robust pipeline of development opportunities we see." Vision Ridge invested in GSSG Solar in 2014 and has since supported the company in its expansion and execution of solar energy project development opportunities across Japan. GSSG Chikuden will seek to benefit from Vision Ridge's familiarity with its leadership team as well as the firm's experience investing in and growing battery storage platforms. In 2018, Vision Ridge invested in Key Capture Energy, LLC, and supported the company in its evolution into a developer, owner and operator of energy storage projects within the United States until its sale to SK E&S Co., Ltd., a Seoul-based global clean energy solutions provider in 2021. "We are pleased to expand our decade-long relationship with GSSG Solar with the launch of GSSG Chikuden," said Reuben Munger, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Vision Ridge. "We think battery storage assets form a crucial part of the emerging sustainable energy economy globally, and are confident that GSSG Chikuden's management team, project development experience, and regional relationships will enable it to deliver much-needed energy storage assets to the grid in Japan." About GSSG ChikudenFounded in 2025 as a joint venture between Vision Ridge Partners and GSSG Solar, LLC, GSSG Chikuden focuses on acquiring, developing and operating utility-scale battery energy storage systems ("BESS") across Japan's power grid. About GSSG SolarGSSG Solar, LLC is an Asia-focused solar + storage investment firm founded in 2013 with offices in Denver (headquarters), Tokyo & Taipei. Since inception, GSSG Solar has invested in over 500MW of solar projects primarily located in Japan with a portion in Taiwan and the US. For more information visit: About Vision Ridge PartnersBy seeking to deliver superior investment returns, Vision Ridge mobilizes capital to address humanity's greatest challenge: climate change. The Vision Ridge team seeks to leverage its diverse, complementary skillsets, deep industry experience, and strong network of relationships to execute investments across sustainable real assets, with a focus on energy, transportation, and agriculture. Vision Ridge manages approximately $4.9 billion on behalf of institutional investors globally, as of March 31, 2025. For more information visit: View source version on Contacts MediaAmanda Shpiner/Iain HughesGasthalter & Co.(212) 257-4170vision-ridge@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
