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: Sophia Brooks