Agenda and draft minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found here.

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Forum had before it the procedure note and guidance for members on the operation of Forum meetings.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the procedure note and guidance for members.

The Forum had before it the minute of the previous meeting of 24 August 2023, for approval.

The Forum resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

Planning Officer:  Gavin Clark

The Forum had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, on the submission of a Proposal of Application by Sustainability Unlimited LLP, for the proposed installation of battery storage units with associated infrastructure, control and switch building, containers and associated works including access at land at Rigifa Farm, Cove Road Aberdeen, planning reference 230397.

The report advised that in terms of the site description, the application site extended to approximately 13000sqm and was located within the green belt to the immediate south of the settlement of Cove (approximately 130m) and to the immediate north of Blackhills Quarry.  The surrounding area was fairly open in nature and sloped gradually from west to east eventually leading towards the North Sea, to the east.  A community woodland was located to the north of the site along with a reservoir. 

The Proposal of Application Notice related to the installation of battery storage units with associated infrastructure, control and switch building containers and associated works, including access. No site layout plan had been submitted, but the supporting documents indicated that the development would consist of multiple units totalling 49.9 megawatts, with the connection to the substation via a 300m long underground cable.  Access would be via the existing entrance to the offices associated with Blackhills Quarry.

The Forum heard from Mr Gavin Clark, Senior Planner, who addressed the Forum and provided details regarding the planning aspects of the application. 

Mr Clark provided details on the relevant planning policies noting that the following policies were relevant to the proposed application in regards to the Local Development Plan (2023):-

·         OP55 (Blackhills Quarry)

·         D1 (Quality Placemaking)

·         D2 (Amenity)

·         D4 (Landscape)

·         Policy NE1 (Green Belt)

·         NE2 (Green and Blue Infrastructure)

·         NE3 (Natural Heritage)

·         R7 (Renewal and Low Energy Developments)

·         WB3 (Noise)

In terms of National Planning Framework 4, the following policies were relevant:-

·         Policy 1 (Tackling the Climate and Nature Crises)

·         Policy 2 (Climate, Mitigation and Adaptation)

·         Policy 3 (Biodiversity)

·         Policy 4 (Natural Places)

·         Policy 5 (Soils)

·         Policy 8 (Green Belt)

·         Policy 11 (Energy)

·         Policy 13 (Sustainable Transport)

·         Policy 14 (Design, Quality and Place)

·         Policy 22 (Flood Risk and Water Management)

·         Policy 23 (Health and Safety)

It was noted that as part of the application, the applicant had been advised that the following information would need to accompany the formal submission:-

·         Design and Access Statement

·         Drainage Assessment

·         Noise Assessment

·         Planning Statement

·         Pre-Application Consultation Report

The Committee then heard from Mr David Bowman, agent for the proposed development.

Mr Bowman began the presentation by explaining that Battery Energy Storage (BESS) had a key part to play in ensuring homes and businesses could be powered by more green energy, even when the sun was not shining or wind not blowing.   He noted that battery storage technologies were essential to speeding up the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy and explained that battery storage systems would play an increasingly pivotal role in allowing energy supplies to meet electricity demands.

Mr Bowman advised that in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.