Househill Courtyard battery energy storage facility application set to face objections by Nairn River Community Council over housing proximity fears
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NAIRN River Community Council are to object to plans for a battery energy storage facility south-east of Househill Courtyard.
The council recently agreed to object to the plan because of its proximity to housing.
At the meeting, secretary Veronica McKinnon said: “Initially they wanted to put it in the field which is now the new Showfield. Now (the proposed site) it’s opposite the Househill courtyard.”
Chairman Hamish Bain said: “I think it may not be the right place. The council at one point said themselves it was too close to housing.”
He said plans had been approved for similar storage facilities at Blackpark (farm) which he thought was preferable because it was not near housing.
Since the meeting took place, news has emerged of a further application for another battery storage facility at nearby Blackpark farm.
Mr Bain said a location (at Blackpark) near the Grigorhill Industrial Estate would be more suitable.
Highland Council’s transport planning team have sought assurances re visibility splays for access to the Househill site.
Planners welcomed the news that the access gate has been set back 15m from the A939 which will allow an entrance to ‘industrial access standards’.
During the nine months construction phase a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be enforced.
There are no other objections to the Househill proposals. The application by Whirlwind Energy Storage Ltd is for the construction and operation of a battery energy storage facility consisting of up to 50 containerised battery storage units, ancillary transformers and inverters, a connection building, site office and store, fencing and landscaping.
The site is arable land 250 metres from Househill House and the purpose of the project is to import and store electricity from the electricity grid when there is an excess of generation (from wind farms), and then export this again when there is a potential shortfall.
The application states: “This ‘grid balancing service’ helps to deliver decarbonisation as it, effectively, reduces the degree to which renewable generation needs to be ‘curtailed’ (turned off) by helping to store excess generation.”
It adds: “Energy projects of the type proposed here can only be located where they can be connected to the electricity network at points which have the capacity for the required import and export of electricity.”
The Househill project has secured such a point of connection via the Nairn substation, 650m to the northeast. The project would be connected to the substation via an underground cable.”
The applicants added that the land is owned by Margaret and Gordon Nicolson who have farmed the area for 36 years. Househill Mains is a 300 acre mixed beef and arable farm.
“The family also developed Househill Courtyard on the original farm steading which comprises a farm shop, a cafe and a furniture shop.
“Margaret and Gordon are keen supporters of green projects, sustainability and the drive towards net zero and this energy storage project is an opportunity to diversify their businesses.”
A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) has now been submitted to Highland Council on behalf of Anesco Limited for a development on land at Blackpark Farm.
An online consultation event will take place from 23rd November 2022 – 14th December 2022 on a dedicated website. Exhibition material, detailing the proposed development, will be uploaded for viewing on the website. It will also have live chat facilities on 23rd November 2022 between the hours of12 noon & 7pm to allow the public to ask direct questions of the Project Team about the proposed development.
