Plans for village energy storage site withdrawn

OnPath Energy sought permission to build a plant on Barnsdale Road in Allerton Bywater

Plans for an energy storage site in a village on green-belt land that drew more than 900 objections have been withdrawn.

OnPath Energy had sought permission to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) in Allerton Bywater, east of Leeds.

But Leeds City Council requested the company withdraw its application because it did not have all the information needed to bring it back before the plans panel, after a decision was first deferred in March.

OnPath sustainability and environment director Robin Winstanley said schemes like the Barnsdale Road plant were crucial to meeting the country’s energy needs.

He said: “While we’re keen to move this important project forward as soon as possible, especially after it received a recommendation for approval from the council’s expert planning officers, we’re happy to withdraw the application at the council’s request and to provide the additional information that has been requested before resubmitting.”

In March, the council’s North and East plans panel deferred a decision on the project, which would have been built within a larger solar farm already given planning consent.

Councillors said more information was needed from OnPath about fire safety and the consideration of alternative sites, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Council leader James Lewis and Kippax and Methley councillor Mary Harland were among those objecting to the project.

Campaigners raised concerns the battery site could cause fires that would damage local wildlife and homes.

OnPath said safety concerns had been addressed and alternative sites were not deemed viable.

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