Agenda item

Planning Reference – 240614

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Planning Officer:  Aoife Murphy

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which recommended:-

That the application for Detailed Planning Permission for the installation of a grid battery energy storage facility (up to 40MW), with associated development, at land at Newton of Pitfodels, Aberdeen, be refused for the following reasons:-

Whilst developments such as this can be generally accepted within a green belt location, given their classification of being an essential infrastructure, thus complying with part of Policy 8 (Green Belt) and Policy 11 (Energy) of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Policy NE1 (Green Belt) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023 (ALDP), overall it was considered that this development in this location would undermine the integrity and purpose of the green belt.  This was due to the development being sited within an area of rural countryside that is relatively unspoilt by development, particularly developments of this industrial nature. Whilst mitigation measures have been put forward by the applicant which would seek to lessen the visual impact, the concerns related to the siting of such a facility in this location remain and it is also expected that there would be a significant negative visual impact on the landscape as well as those residential dwellings that sit in close proximity to the site. The proposal was therefore contrary to Policy 8 (Green Belt), Policy 11 (Energy) and Policy 14 (Design, Quality and Place) of NPF4 and Policy NE1 (Green Belt), Policy D1 (Quality Placemaking), Policy D4 (Landscape) and Policy R7 (Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Developments) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan. 

The Committee heard from Aoife Murphy, Senior Planner, who spoke in furtherance of the application and answered various questions from Members.

The Committee then heard from Colin Morsley on behalf of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council and Val Milne on behalf of Braeside and Mannofield Community Council, who both objected to the proposed planning application.

The Committee then heard from Kirsten Buck, William Sell on behalf of Alison Laing and Alan Moult who also all objected to the proposed planning application.

Finally the Committee heard from Colin Lavety, agent for the application and James Young, applicant.  They spoke in support of the application and answered various questions from Members.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Copland:-

          That the application be approved for the following reasons:-

The principle of the proposed battery energy storage facility was lent substantial support by Policy 11 (Energy) of National Planning Framework 4 (‘NPF4’) and Policy R7 (Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Developments) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan (‘ALDP’) which required decision makers to place significant weight on the contribution of the proposal to renewable energy generation targets and on greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. This was echoed by Policy 1 (Tackling the Climate and Nature Crises) of NPF4 which requires significant weight to be given to the global climate and nature crises.

The proposal was for a development type which was permitted within the green belt, subject to specific criteria being met. Whilst industrial in character and isolated from the built up area, the landscape planting proposed for the development screened it effectively in views from public vantage points in the Green Belt with the result that the proposal would not have a significant visual impact or adverse impact on the landscape setting of the City.

With suitable mitigation measures in place, the proposals satisfactorily addressed the criteria in Policy 11 (Energy) to ensure the protection of residential amenity and the environment.

All other material considerations, including those relating to health and safety, drainage, accessibility and transport had been satisfactorily addressed or were outside the scope of determining this planning application. None of these matters would have a significant impact or outweigh the substantial support that applies to renewable energy projects in national and local planning policy and therefore it was considered the proposal was in accordance with the development plan.

The Vice Convener, seconded by Councillor Boulton, moved as an amendment:-

          That the application be refused in line with the recommendation.

On a division there voted – for the motion (3) – the Convener and Councillors Alphonse and Copland – for the amendment (6) – the Vice Convener and Councillors Boulton, Clark, Farquhar, Lawrence and Macdonald.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the amendment and therefore refuse the application.

-       Councillor Ciaran McRae, Convener