A decision on proposals for a battery storage facility near Weymouth has been delayed to allow further consideration of site access.

The proposed facility is located north of an electrical substation in Chickerell, approximately 350m from the nearest homes. Objectors argue that despite claims of two access points via a revised route, there is effectively only one, which raises safety concerns.

In July last year, a larger battery storage site with a single access point at Coldharbour was approved. That site feeds electricity to the National Grid. Councillors were informed that the revised plans for the Chickerell facility are improved and safer compared to a previous application rejected last year due to concerns over fire safety and water contamination.

The site is within an area designated as a Local Landscape Importance zone, with a public right of way adjacent to the site and National Grid powerlines overhead.

Developers Weymouth Battery Limited have stated that the updated proposal includes enhanced fire detection and suppressant systems, fire walls between groups of four storage units, and measures to improve biodiversity. The design also includes five large water tanks with a combined capacity of 250,000 litres, available to support the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service. The scheme has been scaled down from 60MW to 50MW, and a 4m acoustic fence is planned around the perimeter.

Concerns Over Safety

Kay Kelsall, representing the Chickerell Action Group, told Dorset Council’s planning committee that despite the proposed access improvements, firefighters would still need to travel 750m through potentially toxic fumes to reach the site in the event of a fire. She raised concerns about the potential risk to 26,000 residents, 11 schools, two hospitals, two GP surgeries, eight campsites, and the police and fire stations in the surrounding area.

Beaminster councillor Craig Monks echoed these concerns, stating, "There are concerns about the question of safety being met and, from my experiences, I share the same concerns with regard to access."

Councillor Spencer Flower added that approving the proposal as it stands would be "a leap of faith," expressing doubts that the benefits outweighed the risks.

In contrast, Weymouth councillor David Northam argued that a safety management plan for the site could address the key concerns, supporting the proposal on that basis.

Following these discussions, the committee voted to defer the decision, with the chairman's casting vote tipping the balance.

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