00:00In July 2025, Wakefield Council's planning committee unanimously voted against an application
00:06to install 72 containers storing lithium-ion batteries on farmland near Heath.
00:13This was after more than 1,200 residents objected, and now a planning inspectorate hearing is underway.
00:21The hearing has heard how the historic landscape would be physically altered
00:25if plans to install a battery energy storage system, or BESS, were approved.
00:30The scheme could still go ahead after Harmony Energy lodged an appeal
00:34due to a three-year delay in the application being determined.
00:38BESS facilities take in power from renewable energy sources
00:42and then release it back to the national grid when demand is high.
00:45Lawyers representing both parties said the main issues relate to the impact on the Green Belt
00:50and nearby historic buildings.
00:52The appellant argues the site should be classed as Grey Belt
00:55and says the proposal supports national climate goals, energy security and biodiversity gains.
01:02They claim heritage impacts on the nearby listed Dame Mary Bowles water tower
01:06and conservation area would be limited, temporary and overstated,
01:10adding that the council has failed to allocate renewable energy sites
01:14despite declaring a climate emergency.
01:16The council accepts the importance of renewable energy
01:19but argues this does not outweigh the harm that could be caused.
01:22It says the scheme would damage the historic landscape,
01:25rural character and setting of significant heritage assets.
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