Flood fears raised over electricity storage station

Plans for the project off the A453, close to Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, were submitted in October

Flood fears have been raised over plans to build a new electricity storage station on the bank of the River Soar in Leicestershire.

The scheme, off the A453 Remembrance Way near Kegworth, would see a "battery energy storage system" built on the site, including 24 battery clusters, switch rooms and other equipment.

The field earmarked for the development is on land ranked as being at the highest risk of flooding, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Residents and Kegworth Parish Council have raised concerns about the risk, and do not believe the site to be suitable for the project.

Councillor Carol Sewell brought the application to the upcoming planning committee, due to her fears over the "serious risk of flooding", adding that the development "would have an adverse visual impact on the countryside".

Recommended for approval

In a written letter, one resident living nearby said flooding was a "major concern".

They added: "Adding hard surfaces such as concrete or other impermeable materials will only make the problem worse by increasing surface water run-off and contributing to flood risks for nearby areas.

"This development would be better suited to brownfield sites such as the nearby power station location."

The developer, Root-Power, said the equipment would be placed on stilts about 1.3m above ground level, and that in the event of flooding, the water would then "flow below the development".

It would also be able to be remote-controlled, so it could be turned off if the site flooded, the applicant added.

Planning officers at North West Leicestershire District Council disagree with the concerns, and have recommended the proposals for approval.

A decision on the project will be made by councillors at the planning committee meeting on Tuesday.