Issue - meetings

Temporary planning permission for a period of 40 years for the erection of an Energy Storage System (ESS), together with associated infrastructure, site access, landscaping and ancillary works on land at Tyddyn Forgan, Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon, LL55 3AN.

LOCAL MEMBERS: Councillor Elwyn Jones and Councillor Menna Baines

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION:

1.               Five years

2.               In accordance with the plans/details submitted with the application

3.              Compliance with the landscaping scheme along with future maintenance work

4.              Compliance with the recommendations of the following documents: Ecological Impact Assessment, Arboriculture Impact Assessment, Ecological Technical Note and Green Infrastructure Statement

5.               Compliance with the Flood Consequences Assessment 

6.               Limit construction times

7.               Set a maximum for noise emissions

8.               Agree noise monitoring measures

9.              A condition to ensure appropriate action is taken if unexpected pollution is found

10.           Agree on the external finishes of the structures

11.           Ensure a Welsh name and bilingual signage with priority given to the Welsh language

12.           Agree on an Archaeological work programme

13.           Submit a revised Construction Environmental Management Plan (to include management of the link with SP Manweb equipment)

14.           Submit a revised Landscape and Ecology Management Plan to consider the observations of the Biodiversity Unit

15.           The site must be restored to the condition agreed with the Planning Authority once the development's operational period has ended

Notes:         

Water and Environment Unit

Natural Resources Wales

Gwynedd Archaeological Planning Service

Dŵr Cymru

SP Manweb

Temporary planning permission for a period of 40 years to erect an Energy Storage System (ESS), together with associated infrastructure, site access, landscaping and ancillary works on land at Tyddyn Forgan, Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon, LL55 3AN.

Attention was drawn to the late observations form

Some Members had visited the site on 12-01-26

a)    The Senior Planning Officer highlighted that the type of system temporarily stored energy from renewable energy developments when there was a low demand for electricity, and it then released the electricity as the demand increased.

With the Local Members unable to attend, the Officer presented responses received from them via e-mail:

Councillor Menna Baines:

“A small part of the development is in my ward as the Pentir electricity sub-station is within its boundaries. The Council has committed to the aim of being carbon net zero by 2030 and it seems to me that this scheme is compatible with that aim and principle, and that being as it would form part of the support network that could be used according to the demand when managing the supply of renewable energy. I note concerns raised about an 'overdevelopment' of these types of schemes in the area, but it seems that locating this specific development near the sub-station is a way of taking advantage of the infrastructure that is already there instead of creating demand for more cables or further heavy work. From that perspective, the location makes sense. In terms of the visual impact, it seems that there would not be too much of an impact, especially bearing in mind that the sub-station's equipment is already there and also given that this development would only be seen partly as the proposed planting work matures over time, screening the site better. I also note other concerns raised, especially those about losing biodiversity and endangering a part of the archaeological heritage, but I accept that there are robust conditions associated with the recommendation of approving the development. Given that the development keeps to these conditions and the others that are listed, I have no objection to the application".

Councillor Elwyn Jones:

"I would like to state my objection to the application, as well as the objection of the Pentir Community Council who I sent as a Clerk of that Council to the Planning Department last April.

This Company met us virtually at the Llanddeiniolen Community Council Meeting as they tried to persuade us that this system was advantageous for the National Grid to fulfil the grid's defects. When asking them about safety, noise, employment, and why the National Grid themselves would not invest in similar equipment, there was no reply at all, only waffling. They had no response regarding the way that they had consulted as they bragged about distributing some hundreds of information pamphlets although nobody in the nearest communities had received any information. It is easy to state after the event that there was no objection from local residents.

'I am glad that it is a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7