No opposition recommended for the sixth energy storage project near the village

Councillors have been advised not to oppose plans for a sixth battery energy storage system (BESS) near a village in the Scottish Borders. Since 2022, four such projects have received approval near Leitholm, while a fifth faced opposition from Scottish Borders Council (SBC), resulting in a public inquiry.

Local residents, situated between Coldstream and Greenlaw, expressed concerns last year that these developments were drastically changing the core of their community. A recent report to SBC's planning committee recommends not objecting to the latest proposal submitted by Bishops Dal Energy. The final approval rests with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit.

The region has become a popular location for BESS applications because of its proximity to the expanding Eccles substation. The new project would include 96 container-sized storage units, a substation, fencing, and new access points. Despite opposition over safety, visual impact, and farmland loss, SBC officials are being advised against lodging formal objections.

The report highlights that a nationwide increase in battery storage facilities is necessary to achieve net zero greenhouse gas targets. These systems store energy from renewable sources, help balance grid demand, and provide flexibility for the network.

Residents remain concerned about the number of installations in the area. However, the report notes that the principle of using land here for BESS projects has been previously accepted, and no current policy limits the number of installations. Existing BESS facilities at Eccles already store significant energy, and while cumulative challenges in connectivity and capacity may arise, current planning policies do not impose storage limits. Each proposal is therefore assessed individually.

The report concludes that the new development would create only minor landscape and visual effects, with other planning concerns manageable through properly worded conditions.

Community Reaction: Villagers continue to feel that the essence of their village is being altered by these energy storage projects.

Author's Analysis: Balancing Energy Storage Expansion and Community Concerns

The latest advice to Scottish Borders Council not to oppose the sixth battery energy storage system (BESS) near Leitholm underscores a broader national push for renewable energy infrastructure. Since 2022, the area has seen approval for four BESS projects, with a fifth undergoing a public inquiry due to council opposition. The new proposal by Bishops Dal Energy includes 96 container-sized units, a substation, and supporting infrastructure, reflecting the ongoing demand for grid flexibility and renewable energy storage.

Local residents remain apprehensive, citing safety, visual impact, and farmland loss as primary concerns. While these are legitimate issues, the planning report emphasizes that the principle of siting BESS in this area has already been accepted. No current policy restricts the number of installations, and each project is assessed on its individual merits. Officials note that landscape and visual impacts from the new development would be minor, and other potential issues could be mitigated through conditions applied during approval.

This situation illustrates the tension between national energy goals and local community sentiment. The Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit holds the final decision, highlighting the balance policymakers must strike between supporting renewable energy expansion and addressing the cumulative effects on rural communities. For residents, the challenge remains preserving the character of their village amid rapid technological development.

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• No objection advised to sixth energy storage scheme near village