A proposed battery storage farm in Surrey aimed at supporting the National Grid’s energy needs has been dismissed by the council due to concerns over its location on green belt land. Sunbury BESS Ltd sought to construct 50 large industrial battery units, comparable in size to shipping containers, across a 3.5-hectare site in Shepperton, strategically situated between the M3 motorway and a railway line.
Despite initial planning officers advocating for the project on the grounds of its climate benefits, Spelthorne Borough Council’s planning committee ultimately rejected the application, citing a lack of ‘very special circumstances’ to justify such development on protected green belt land. The battery farm was positioned as a crucial component in aiding the UK to achieve its climate targets by storing energy and supplying it during peak demand periods.
Initially, the developers reduced the footprint of their project in response to strong local opposition; however, residents remained highly vocal, submitting over 40 objections. Concerns raised included potential fire hazards, noise pollution, health risks, and the perceived threat to the natural character of Shepperton’s countryside, which they argued would lead to the ‘industrialisation’ of their area.
Planning officials labelled the proposal as ‘inappropriate development’ within the green belt framework, citing significant loss of openness and a contravention of regulations designed to prevent urban expansion. Nevertheless, they noted the absence of safety-related objections from relevant authorities such as the Surrey Fire & Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive, which countered some arguments against the facility’s safety. The outcome reflects ongoing tensions between environmental progress and land conservation priorities in local government planning initiatives.
