Westfield Road BESS

NEW AND IMPROVED PROPOSALS

A new proposal has been submitted and has been validated. The planning reference is: 23/06404/FU

Updates

Unfortunately, our original application [23/06404/FU] was refused on the 3rd May 2024. When a planning application has been refused, an applicant reserves the right to submit a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Therefore, Firma Vogt Solar Limited have submitted an appeal.

Changes to the Scheme

In submitting the appeal, we have sought to improve the development by making some minor changes. These changes include:

  • The addition of an acoustic fence.

  • The addition of acoustic enclosures around the inverter units.

  • The removal of some unnecessary infrastructure including fencing.

  • Updated landscaping to reflect the above changes and soften the visual appearance of the development.

How you can get in touch

The plans are available on the Documents page of this website (www.westfieldbess.com/documents).

Comments on the appealed application should be submitted no later than by 4 December 2024, and can be submitted via the website, the development email address (planning.northern@stantec.com). Please quote the appeal reference ‘APP/N4720/W/24/3354875 Westfield Road’ in your subject line.

Should you require any further information, please do contact us using the details above.

We have listened

Thank you to local residents and representatives for providing feedback to our initial proposals.

We have carefully considered the responses we received , and made the decision to withdraw them in order to conduct a comprehensive reassessment of the proposals.

The scheme has undergone several changes based on discussions with local stakeholders. These changes aim to reduce the impact on local residents.

Detailed proposal overview

THE RIGHT LOCATION

  • The site is located off Westfield Road, Carlton, Rothwell, Wakefield, WF3 3TW. The Site covers approximately 1.7 hectares (4.2 acres) of land, including open areas and new landscape planting.

We are now actively seeking comments on the revised plans and value your input. The key changes include:

  • Moving the entire development further south away from the nearest sensitive receptors.

  • Relocating the access from the northern boundary to the eastern boundary, further away from sensitive receptors.

  • Moving the site access enables unbroken landscaping and screening of views from the north.

  • Entire reconfiguration of the layout, which avoids the need to large noise barriers.

  • 50% reduction in the overall amount of development.

  • 13% reduction in the heights of the units (from 3m to 2.67m).

  • 38% reduction in the number of PCS (Power Conversion System) units (from 16 to 10).

The original planning application would have delivered a significant biodiversity net gain (BNG) of approximately 125%. The reduction in size for the new scheme by over 22% will increase this further.

We are currently conducting a series of surveys, which will determine the final BNG figure.

In advance of this we welcome any recommendations for environmental betterment that we could consider for inclusion in the proposals.

Delivering for Leeds and West Yorkshire

  • Westfield BESS will reinforce Northern Powergrid infrastructure, by offering backup power and stabilising services. This also means that Westfield BESS will directly benefit the local area, through its connection into Northern Powergrid infrastructure.

  • BESS help to regulate electricity supply and demand, securing the electricity supply at peak demand times and making renewable energy outputs a more reliable part of the UK’s energy mix.

  • Battery storage is essential to supporting Leeds Council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with local, national, and international targets.. This includes the statutory obligation for Net Zero by 2050, a UK target of cutting carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, and Leeds Council’s even more ambitions efforts to make Leeds carbon neutral by 2030.

  • BESS infrastructure allows the local electricity network to store more renewable energy during low-use periods and release the energy when people need it most. This helps to overcome the intermittency of wind energy or lack of night time generation for solar panels. It means the grid does not need to fire-up coal or gas power plants to meet electricity demand when renewables are not generating.

  • Making renewables more reliable also increases UK energy independence by reducing the need for foreign fossil fuels, which will make energy more secure and affordable.

  • New green energy infrastructure will be complemented by enhancements to environmental green infrastructure through tree, hedgerow, and wildflower grassland planting along with other measures to deliver a local biodiversity net gain of >150%.

  • Along with these important contributions to the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss we are developing a package of measures to directly benefit the surrounding local community through a community benefit fund.   

Policy Context

In March 2016 Leeds City Council committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The resolution also called for support from the central government in terms of funding and authority to achieve this target. For more information, please see the Leeds Climate Emergency initiative.

 

As part of efforts to support a low carbon Leeds, the Council is proposing to update the Local Plan with new policies focused on climate change. Supporting text on energy storage for emerging policy EN3 advises: “Electricity storage infrastructure would help to increase the self-sufficiency of Leeds’ energy supply and to balance the national supply and demand of electricity.”

 

BESS like Westfield Road can help to maintain grid stability and secure the power supply, helping to support the local transition to Net Zero through low carbon infrastructure.

Is Battery Storage Safe?

The battery enclosures are specifically engineered to guarantee secure operation throughout the project’s lifespan. Advanced safety measures, including continuous monitoring of individual battery cells, are in place to promptly address any potential concerns and manage operations for utmost safety.

Battery energy storage systems are designed to adhere to stringent safety standards established by international regulatory bodies like the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). These comprehensive standards encompass various facets of battery storage systems, including installation, operation, and maintenance, to ensure their compliance with the highest safety protocols.

ib vogt

ib vogt (IBV) is a leading developer specialising in utility-scale infrastructure for solar photovoltaic (PV) farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). With a 20-year history of global expertise, we have been a significant player in the UK solar industry, holding the position of the second-largest solar developer in the country from 2012 to 2017 and with over 40GW of development projects in the pipeline globally. 

At ib vogt we are committed to sustainable energy and high-quality local development, a commitment solidified by our participation in the UN Global Compact. With over 490MWp of solar operations in the UK our projects are designed and delivered with consideration for communities at their core. Through transparent communication and investment in local employment, we strive to empower local resilience while addressing the global challenges of climate change. Our focus on development and engineering excellence supports our mission to create a greener future through renewable energy solutions.

Firma Energy

We specialise in developing cost-effective clean energy projects with compelling environmental and social benefits that power progress. Our expertise combines a background in renewable energy, real estate, and construction.

Since our establishment in 2021, we have been independently identifying prime sites and pushing the boundaries of a zero-carbon future in partnership with world-class partners, IB Vogt and EE (European Energy). With over a decade of targeted renewable experience, we have the capability to structure partnerships that deliver value to both landowners and power producers.

Contact details

The plans are available on the Documents page of this website (www.westfieldbess.com/documents).

Comments on the appealed application should be submitted no later than by 4 December 2024, and can be submitted via the website, the development email address (planning.northern@stantec.com). Please quote the appeal reference ‘APP/N4720/W/24/3354875 Westfield Road’ in your subject line.

Should you require any further information, please do contact us using the details above.