Objection to BESS Battery Storage Facility

There is still time if you wish to join Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council in their objection to the developer's appeal against their refused planning application for the installation of a grid battery energy storage facility (up to 40MW) at Newton of Pitfodels, Aberdeen, AB15 7AL. You can do this in one of two ways (or both!):

Firstly, you can object by emailing a letter to DPEA@gov.scot. You can download our letter template or copy and paste the text below - please sign with your name, mailing address and email for the objection to be valid.

Secondly, you can object by filling out our Google Form Petition below. Over 750 responses have been collated from Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber, Braeside and Mannofield and Craigiebuckler and Seafield Community Councils and sent to the DPEA but the petition will remain open and now stands at almost 850 responses.

For more details, view the planning application appeal on the Aberdeen City Council website. 

Re: Response to Developer’s Appeal Ref. PPA-100-2152 against the Decision to REFUSE planning permission for the Installation of a BESS grid battery energy storage facility (40MW) at Newton of Pitfodels, Countesswells Road, Aberdeen

Dear Sir,

I object to the Appeal Ref PPA-100-2152 for the following reasons:

1. Destroys valuable green belt land negating any perceived environmental benefit: The site is in a green belt, in open, undeveloped, unspoilt countryside used for arable farming and horse grazing. It is rich in wildlife and used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and horse riders. The playing fields bordering the site are used daily by hundreds of schoolchildren. We must not destroy the environment we are trying to protect as we pursue a green energy objective.
2. Does not comply with Scottish Government policy (NPF4) or Aberdeen Local Development Plan (ALDP): Energy developments are only supported in the green belt if they meet specific criteria, which this development does not. It is industrial in nature, and out of keeping with the surrounding countryside and context. It undermines the integrity and purpose of the green belt by eroding landscape character. There would be a significant negative visual impact on landscape, and residential amenity of dwellings close to the site.
3. Undermines the Green Space Network: The 5-metre-wide, asphalted access road proposed at the northeast of the site would be through a field which is part of the Green Space Network and would break the only link with the Green Space Network north of Countesswells Road. The ALDP states ‘development proposals should seek to protect, support and enhance the Green Space Network and its coherence. Developments that do not achieve this will not be supported.’
4. Unsuitable site due to flooding: The fields in which the development is proposed flood whenever there is heavy rain. Water runs off onto Countesswells Road at the proposed entrance to the site, causing frequent road closures. The flooding risk is compounded by the reservoir to the west of the site on higher ground, which has failed twice allowing thousands of gallons of water to pour downhill into the fields.
5. Relatively new technology with significant incidents – inappropriately close to residential homes, playing fields and schools: In 2023 the UK Government Planning Inspectorate published data stating that ‘there have been over 30 serious thermal runaways in BESS sites since 2017.’ In September 2020 a fire at a BESS in Liverpool took 59 hours to extinguish, resulting in an explosion releasing toxic gases across the city.  In September 2024 in San Diego, California a fire occurred at a 30 MW BESS resulting in residents being evacuated.
6. Full HSE risk assessment required before a planning application is considered: The applicant has indicated a full HSE Risk Assessment will only be developed once the application has been approved. This is not acceptable. UK Government Guidance “Health and Safety in Grid Scale Electrical Energy Storage Systems” published in April 2024, requires ‘Planning Applications and decisions should always be taken with a complete assessment of risk and impacts, both of the facility and the surrounding environment.’

Yours faithfully

[Forename Surname]

[House number, Street, Postcode]

[Email address]