Anger as controversial battery energy storage plant approved in Hastings Hill

Local councillors say approval for a battery energy storage facility next to 2 scheduled ancient monuments in Sunderland is the wrong decision – and hope it isn’t one the Council regrets.

Sunderland councillors say approving a planning application for a battery energy storage system in a local beauty spot behind the Hastings Hill scheduled ancient monument is the wrong decision.

Sunderland City Council’s Planning Committee voted yesterday [Monday 09 June] by 7 votes to 2 to grant permission for a battery energy storage plan on farmland off Foxcover Lane in Sunderland.

The site is directly next to two scheduled ancient monuments: the Hastings Hill roundbarrow, cercus and causeway – funery monuments from the late neolithic period which are the only ones of their kind in the region.

The site, which is accessed up the narrow Foxcover Lane and directly next the A19, would also cause a huge amount of disruption if there was a fire in the lithium-ion batteries in the facility.

Speaking after the meeting Lib Dem councillor for Grindon and Hastings Hill Margaret Crosby said:

“This industrial development is totally out of keeping with the agricultural land and rural nature of the area – and risks damaging the ability of people to enjoy these scheduled ancient monument and the surrounding countryside.

“There is no shortage of brownfield site or industrial estates that would be much better to locate an energy storage system using this large industrial batteries.

“I am deeply worried that if something goes wrong at the site and there is a big fire involving these batteries not only would there be huge disruption to the A19 and local housing estates, but we also risk huge damage to the local environment and water courses. I hope Sunderland Council don’t live to regret this decision.

“Council bosses really needs to get a proper plan in place for how to deal with applications for these battery energy storage facilities so they are only approved in suitable, safe places.”