PLANS have been submitted to Somerset Council for permission to construct a Battery Energy Storage System on the M5 between Bridgwater and Highbridge.
Renewable Connections Developments Limited have applied to gain permission for the 'construction, operation and decommissioning of a 90MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility and associated infrastructure'.
The applicant states the site will be approximately 1.72ha (4.2 acres) in size and will be located on countryside land found adjacent to the M5 southbound.
The eastern boundary of the proposed site partly follows Summerway Drove.
In the screening letter submitted to the council, the applicant wrote: "The Proposed Development will comprise of battery units, ancillary equipment including transformer units, inverter units, fencing, water tank, access tracks and CCTV cameras.
"As a consequence of the site’s location in flood zone 3, infrastructure will be raised by 800mm.
"Battery units will be positioned in rows, connected to the inverter units. Access to the site would be from the south via Summerway Drove."
It is proposed that the new plant would operate for up to 40 years before being safely decommissioned.
No permanent staff would be needed on site during operation, as the plant would be operated remotely.
If plans are approved, the construction of the site is expected to take between four and six months, but the applicant plans to route construction vehicles specifically to avoid traffic and disruption in residential areas.
Before submitting the planning application, the applicant reportedly reached out to several local groups and authorities in order to engage in 'early and effective pre-application discussions.
These groups included the local community, local interest groups, Somerset Council, Bridgwater Town Council, Bridgwater Without Parish Council, Somerset Council, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
The applicant wrote: "All residents and businesses within circa 1km of the proposed development site were sent a four-page leaflet setting out the proposals, details of the online consultation event and how to provide comments.
"In total, 744 leaflets were sent out by a leaflet mailing company on 4th August 2023."
For more information on this application, search planning reference number 08/24/00026 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.
Consultation on the application began on Tuesday, February 6.
Sedgemoor planning round-up
The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between February 2 and February 9.
For more details, and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.
Application Number: 01/24/00003
Parish/Town Council: Ashcott
Type: Listed Building Consent - alterations
Location: 26 Taunton Road, Pedwell, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9BG
Proposal: Alteration and part demolition to existing extension and replacement of all fenestrations with the replacement of the existing wall to the West elevation with full height glazing including doors.
Application Number: 01/24/00004
Parish/Town Council: Ashcott
Type: Works to Trees
Location: Bradley Stream Wood, Stagman Lane, Ashcott, Bridgwater
Proposal: Bradley Stream Wood: Coppice hazel and ash understorey throughout protected woodland (sections 4 & 5) as shown on plan (TPO Ref W1).
Application Number: 02/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Axbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 47 West Street, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2AA
Proposal: Alterations to the detached garage and re-tarmacing of driveway.
Application Number: 02/24/00002
Parish/Town Council: Axbridge
Type: Listed Building Consent - alterations
Location: 47 West Street, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2AA
Proposal: Alterations to the detached garage and re-tarmacking of driveway.
Application Number: 02/24/00003
Parish/Town Council: Axbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Round Hay Cottage, Cheddar Road, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2DL
Proposal: Erection of an infill extension to the front South elevation between the existing garage and dwelling.
Application Number: 02/24/00004
Parish/Town Council: Axbridge
Type: Works to Trees in Conservation Area
Location: Georges Cottage, St Marys Street, Axbridge, BS26 2BN
Proposal: Fell 1No. Eucalyptus (T1)
Application Number: 08/24/00021
Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 1 Hawkridge Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7NE
Proposal: Erection of a detached single-storey annex.
Application Number: 08/24/00022
Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 76 Willoughby Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7NA
Proposal: Erection of a two-storey extension to the East elevation with a single-storey extension to the North elevation, with the installation of roof dormers to the front South and rear North elevations. Demolition of rear garage and alterations to the access and driveway.
Application Number: 08/24/00026
Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater
Type: Screening opinion
Location: Land to the West of, Summerway Drove, East Bower, Bridgwater
Proposal: Proposed construction, operation and decommissioning of a 90MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility and associated infrastructure
Application Number: 09/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater Without
Type: Reserved matters
Location: Bower Farm, Bower Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 4TY
Proposal: Variation of Condition 1 of Planning Permission Application No. 09/21/00036 (Approval of the details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, for the erection of 260no. dwellings, associated infrastructure including a new roundabout, on site of existing buildings and structures (to be demolished)).To vary approved plans listed in schedule A. This is a major application
Application Number: 11/23/00102
Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 1 Chichester Close, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2AR
Proposal: Conversion of garages providing kitchen and craft room, with associated works and fenestration alterations.
Application Number: 11/24/00007
Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Burnham Holiday Village, Marine Drive, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 1LA
Proposal: Approval for the relocation of the seaside treats and box unit.
Application Number: 11/24/00008
Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 8 Olivier Close, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 1RA
Proposal: Conversion of an integral garage to create a new front entrance with internal works.
Application Number: 11/24/00011
Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 76 Berrow Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2EZ
Proposal: Change of use from dwelling to 6no. bedroom residential care home.
Application Number: 13/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Cannington
Type: Cert. of Lawfulness for Proposed Use/Dev
Location: 34 High Street, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2HF
Proposal: Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a two-section modular.
Application Number: 17/23/00098
Parish/Town Council: Cheddar
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Longmead, Axbridge Road, Cheddar, Somerset
Proposal: Erection of agricultural building, on site of existing (to be demolished).
Application Number: 17/24/00004
Parish/Town Council: Cheddar
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Land North of, Warrens Hill, Cheddar, BS27
Proposal: Erection of an agricultural barn.
Application Number: 26/24/00002
Parish/Town Council: Edington
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Ballintaggart, Manor Road, Edington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9HB
Proposal: Erection of 2no. two-storey side extensions to the West and East elevation on-site of existing single-storey extensions (to be demolished). Erection of a single-storey rear extension to the North elevation and internal alterations.
Application Number: 32/23/00008
Parish/Town Council: Lyng
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: East Lyng Grange, Main Road, East Lyng, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5AU
Proposal: Change of use of skittle alley to 2No. Holiday Lets and utility rooms.
Application Number: 32/23/00009
Parish/Town Council: Lyng
Type: Listed Building Consent - alterations
Location: East Lyng Grange, Main Road, East Lyng, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5AU
Proposal: Change of use of skittle alley to 2No. Holiday Lets and utility rooms.
Application Number: 36/23/00021
Parish/Town Council: Nether Stowey
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Merrywood, Lime Street, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1NH
Proposal: Retrospective application for change of use of a single storey extension to holiday let accommodation/Hinkley workers accommodation.
Application Number: 36/24/00002
Parish/Town Council: Nether Stowey
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 8 Fox Way, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1PF
Proposal: Erection of a two-storey extension to the front West elevation and rear East elevation.
Application Number: 37/24/00006
Parish/Town Council: North Petherton
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 35 Old Road, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6TG
Proposal: Erection of a single-storey extension to the SE rear elevation and the installation of a new garage roof.
Application Number: 37/24/00007
Parish/Town Council: North Petherton
Type: Removal of Hedgerows
Location: Greenway Farm, Moon Lane, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0DS
Proposal: Removal of approximately 178m of hedgerow on the southern boundary of Greenway Farm and replanting with native mixed species hedgerow comprising hawthorn, hazel, field maple, beech, and bird cherry and 6No. native trees.
Application Number: 44/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Shipham
Type: Permission in Principle
Location: The Miners Arms, The Square, Shipham, Winscombe, Somerset, BS25 1TW
Proposal: Application for permission in principle for erection of 3 No. dwellings, conversion of existing building to 1No. dwelling to include partial demolition.
Application Number: 45/24/00002
Parish/Town Council: Spaxton
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Parish Land Farm, Merridge Hill, Spaxton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1BB
Proposal: Erection of a two-storey extension to the side NE Elevation.
Application Number: 46/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Stawell
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Frys Cottage, Stawell Road, Stawell, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9AD
Proposal: Erection of a single-storey garden room extension to the South elevation.
Application Number: 46/24/00002
Parish/Town Council: Stawell
Type: Listed Building Consent - alterations
Location: Frys Cottage, Stawell Road, Stawell, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9AD
Proposal: Erection of a single-storey garden room extension to the south elevation.
Application Number: 03/24/00003
Parish/Town Council: Badgworth
Type: Outline Planning Permission
Location: Pint Pot Cottage, Bristol Road, Biddisham, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2RF
Proposal: Outline application with some matters reserved for erection of 8No. dwellings and associated works.
Application Number: 04/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Bawdrip
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Land North of, Eastside Lane, Bawdrip, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7
Proposal: Erection of 1no. dwelling with associated parking and works.
Application Number: 08/24/00024
Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater
Type: Cert. of Lawfulness for Proposed Use/Dev
Location: 97 Fairfax Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4LS
Proposal: Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed erection of rear dormer extension and installation of two front roof slope roof-lights to facilitate loft conversion.
Application Number: 11/23/00134
Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 11 Stoddens Walk, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2DX
Proposal: Erection of a single-storey extension to the rear SW elevation on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished), and garage conversion to a kitchen.
Application Number: 12/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Burnham Without
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Oak Tree Farm, Bristol Road, Edithmead, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4HA
Proposal: Erection of a drive-thru coffee shop and associated works.
Application Number: 14/23/00005
Parish/Town Council: Catcott
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 19 Manor Road, Catcott, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9HT
Proposal: Change of use from care home to 18No. bedroom House of Multiple Occupancy.
Application Number: 17/24/00006
Parish/Town Council: Cheddar
Type: Works to Trees in Conservation Area
Location: The Old Vicarage, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RF
Proposal: Reduce lateral branches of 1No. Turkey Oak (T1) overhanging road side by up to 2m to reduce the loading as a preemptive action.
Application Number: 27/24/00001
Parish/Town Council: Enmore
Type: Cert. of Lawfulness for Existing Use
Location: Chestnut Lodge, The Old Malthouse, Church Road, Enmore, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2DU
Proposal: Certificate of Lawfulness for the existing residential use of the building and associated land without compliance with condition 3 of planning permission 27/00/00003
Application Number: 31/24/00003
Parish/Town Council: Lympsham
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: The Old Vicarage, Rectory Way, Lympsham, Weston-super-mare, Somerset, BS24 0EW
Proposal: Erection of extension (& link to annex/garage) on site of existing (to be demolished) to the North elevation.
Application Number: 36/24/00003
Parish/Town Council: Nether Stowey
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: 18 Five Lords, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 1PD
Proposal: Erection of a single-storey extension with Velux window to the West elevation on site of existing extension and carport (to be demolished).
Application Number: 37/23/00133
Parish/Town Council: North Petherton
Type: Full Planning Permission
Location: Barton Grange, Road Through Fordgate, Fordgate, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0AR
Proposal: Retrospective application for alterations to agricultural building.
Application Number: 49/24/00004
Parish/Town Council: Weare
Type: Works to Trees
Location: 1 Badgworth Court, Badgworth Lane, Weare, Axbridge, BS26 2QZ
Proposal: Pollard 1No. Lime (T38) (TPO Ref T11) to 8m.
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