The need to protect the planet from global warming has never been more important.  We are in the midst of a climate emergency. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlines that immediate action must be taken to avoid irreparable climate breakdown. National Grid forecast that up to 31GW of total storage could be needed by 2030, increasing to 72GW by 2050. The UK has just over 7GW of storage currently operational or under construction, demonstrating a clear requirement for the acceleration of battery storage development across the UK. (Figures from National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios Report, July 2023)

The site can import and export 115MW of power, helping to balance the grid. This means when there is an excess of cheaper power, usually during events such as high winds or solar peaks, this can be stored for later use. The power is then exported during times of higher demand, ensuring older/less efficient generation isn’t required to meet the grid’s requirements. This allows a greater proportion of renewable energy to be used, and ensures generators operate for longer at their peak efficiency. Even taking into consideration other similar proposals coming forward in the area, there is a vital need for more of this type of energy storage to be developed, to ensure that no energy goes to waste.

Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council also declared a Climate Emergency in September 2019, which was followed by the publication of its Horizon 2050 vision. This plan, set out by residents, businesses, and key partners, highlights a desire to reduce carbon emissions and the use of fossil fuels.

Whilst the current connection date is 2030, this is worst case scenario. National Grid is currently exploring options to increase grid capacity, as this is desperately needed if the country is to meet key Net Zero targets. As such, should planning permission be grated, we hope to be provided with an updated connection date that is much sooner than 2030, hence why we are coming forward with the proposals now.

• Allow for a significant opportunity for energy storage in Tadley which ensures a secure and stable supply of electricity to help meet the Government’s target of net zero by 2050. 
• Support existing biodiversity to thrive on the site allowing for plants to continue to grow and animals to still pass through the site. 
• At least a minimum 60% increase in Biodiversity Net Gain, which not only meets, but far exceeds the 10% target outlined in the Environment Act 2021. Improvements in the condition of existing habitats and creation of new habitats to enhance biodiversity on site.
•  Improvements in the condition of existing habitats and creation of new habitats to enhance biodiversity on site. 
• The site will be decommissioned after an operational lifespan of 35 years. 
• The creation of a fund that would hold up to £115,000 which would directly benefit local residents. A representative from the local community could be a part of this process. The sum would be ring fenced for the communities that would be the most impacted. 

After 35 years, the site infrastructure will be removed, and agricultural use will be reinstated.

There is currently an urgent need for alternatives to expensive and polluting fossil fuels in the UK. The need to generate and store as many different forms of renewable power across the UK is crucial for the UK’s future energy security. As such, there is a need for a battery storage development to come forward on a number of sites across the country to ensure that every surplus in renewable energy is being utilised.

The development of battery storage can help to support local farmers with additional income, offering a level of additional financial security to allow them to continue to grow crops and rear livestock, this is especially important with the back drop of the reduction of financial support from the Government such as the progressive reductions in payments from the Basic Payment Scheme and the changes in the farming industry as a whole. As such, the two elements complement and support each other.  Battery storage developments also allow for the land to be returned to agricultural use after the project lifespan. As such, should better renewable technology exist at this time, the land can be returned to its original use with no long-term detrimental impacts.

The site of the proposed Battery storage facility will be decommissioned in accordance with the latest environmental legislation at the time of being decommissioned, the proposed BNG and additional planting will remain as to ensure that new habitats which are created will remain in perpetuity and will benefit the local wildlife immensely.  

The energy generated will be fed directly into the grid and distributed where needed. BSR will have no control over the distribution of this energy. However the proposed Battery storage development should increase the reliability of a dependable electricity supply within the local area/district.

A temporary planning consent for a 35-year period is being sought. So, the site will be able to run for a 35-year period and no longer. Should there still be a requirement for battery storage proposals after 35 years, a further planning permission would need to be obtained for the site to operate for longer. 

BSR would create a fund that would hold up to £115,000 which would directly benefit local residents, should planning permission be grated. The fund would be held by a specialist partner / fund manager and would be ring fenced for the communities that would be the most impacted. At this early stage, BSR is still exploring options for the management of this fund. BSR is supportive of a representative from the local community being part of this process.

On average, a battery lifespan is around ten years. It is unlikely that a mass replacement of all battery cells would be needed. The replacement of cells is more likely to be staggered following ongoing maintenance. 

As part of the planning application, a full noise assessment will be undertaken. Given the early stage the proposals are at, technical assessments are still underway, including a noise assessment. Further details will be shared once available. 

A Desk Based Archaeological Assessment (DBA) was carried out at the outset, which concluded that any archaeological findings could likely be sufficiently mitigated ahead of development taking place. In addition to the DBA, a Geophysical survey has also been carried out and we will be preparing a Working Scheme of Investigation after the findings of this survey have been investigated and assessed. If the Geophysical survey does not demonstrate any archaeology anomalies, then we will ensure that we adhere to an agreed Archaeology Watching Brief during the construction phases should one be required.  f. BSR is committed to engaging proactively with the Hampshire County Archaeologist as the proposals progress.

• The proposals aim to secure a significant positive net gain to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on the existing condition of the habitat over the lifespan of the development. BSR aims to  exceed the statutory minimum 10% target outlined in the Environment Act 2021.
• BSR will ensure that habitats on site are retained and managed. If there are instances where this is not possible, suitable mitigation will be taken to ensure that there is no detrimental impact.
• We will also ensure that improvements are made to the condition of existing habitats, as well as facilitating the creation of new habitation which will enhance biodiversity on site. This could include:
  • Planting of hedgerow and trees along the northern boundary to block views of the facility from the north.
  • Planting of night-scented flowers that will help attract night-flying insects.
  • Retention of existing vegetation to screen views from the Public Right of Way (PRoW) through the site.
  • Creation of species rich grassland and wildflower grassland to increase biodiversity value of the site.
  • Provision of insect hotels, bat boxes and log piles to provide a variety of habitat across the site for a number of species.

The majority of site is not ‘Best and Most Versatile’, so not the highest quality land. Subgrade 3a covers 33.3% and subgrade 3b covers 66.7% – this is rated as good to moderate.

BSR selects sites for battery storage development based on where there is a viable grid connection nearby. BSR would always seek to select land of a low agricultural grade near to these connections, where these are available. The Land at Frog Lane is currently agricultural land, but 66.7% is Grade 3b which is not considered to be agricultural land which is Best and Most Versatile, the remaining amount is subgrade 3a, therefore the proposed development will not lead to the permanent loss of the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land.

The development of battery storage in this location will allow the local farmer the opportunity for a guaranteed, stable income, compared to farming the land which will help support the farm’s wider activities. The proposed battery storage facility would have an operational lifespan of 35 years, after which the development would be decommissioned, and the land would be returned to agricultural use.

If planning permission is granted, construction is expected to begin on site in 2030, as this is when the Distributed Network Operator (DNO) will be able to connect the facility. The DNO is a licensed company that owns and operates the network of cables, transformers, and towers that bring electricity from the national transmission network to businesses and homes, and so this connection is essential for the operation of the facility, in this case SSE.

The construction phase is likely to last for approximately 12 months with the peak traffic movements during months 8-10. We would also see a slightly higher number of cars and vans associated with workers travelling to/from the site at this time.

Once operational the site will encounter very low levels of traffic, this will be for maintenance reasons only. 

The measures that are likely to be taken to minimise disruption include:

• The introduction of a dedicated construction compound running adjacent to the main site, with temporary matting to ensure that all vehicles have somewhere to make deliveries, to keep the road network free of waiting vehicles.
• A dedicated site manager who will coordinate timed delivery slots.
• Wheel washing to reduce mud on local roads as a result of vehicles exiting the site.
• Restricted delivery hours to avoid busy periods.
• Dedicated construction route agreed with County Highways

A construction route map is currently being drawn up and will be uploaded to the ‘Construction and Operation’ page once available.

In light of the new guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), BSR has taken proactive steps to update its initial designs to reflect the changes.

The overall changes from the NFCC which BSR is now implementing across its proposals are: 

• • A comprehensive risk management process undertaken by BESS operators, identifying specific hazards and risks, and developing, implementing, maintaining, and reviewing risk controls.
  • A robust Emergency Response Plan.
  • A minimum of 6 meters between units to act as a fire barrier.
  • Sufficient water supply to deal with a potential fire safely and effectively, with mitigations to the environmental impact of any run-off. Local fire and rescue services would be consulted regarding water volumes and flow rates.
  • A combination of fire suppression systems will be implemented, drawing from lessons learned in the wider industry.

BSR engaged in a pre-application consultation with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service in November 2023. We have taken on board the feedback given and this has been fed into our design, we intend to continue to liaise with the service throughout the process. 

BSR is also exploring additional mitigations following an initial discussion with the Parish Council and is committed to an ongoing review of fire safety precautions.

Our consultation period ran from Monday 4^th March to Sunday 24^th March and provided the local community the opportunity to provide feedback as we develop our proposal for Land at Frog Lane to ensure we understand any concerns.

Thank you to all of those that provided feedback. This is now being compiled and will be carefully considered by the project team as the project team moves towards submitting the planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The community can continue to get in touch with the project team in the following ways:

• Call us on 0800 368 3973 (freephone)
• Email us at info@bsrfroglane.co.uk
• Fill out the ‘Contact Us’ form here.