The site lies in a rural location, to the north-west of the village of Invergowrie, and within the administrative area of Perth & Kinross Council. The site is bounded by the railway and a road to the south.
The site lies within a field which covers an area of approximately 4.74 hectares ofagricultural land, although the proposed development requires only around 0.56hectares of the field.
The proposed development will comprise:
– 30 battery storage containers (similar to shipping containers), up to 2.8m high, 12m in length and 2.4m wide;
– Ancillary structures including transformer station, sub-station and spare parts storage container;
– 2.1m high post and wire (deer) fencing and green coated weld mesh gate together with CCTV facing into the site for security;
– Newly formed site access road, constructed of compacted gravel, branching off the existing farm access; and
– Extensive boundary tree and shrub planting for enclosure and screening as well as for biodiversity and nature conservation benefits. Undeveloped areas within the site will form new ecology rich wildfower meadow.
The Proposed Development comprises a Battery Energy Storage System (BSS) involving proven battery technology which will provide services to support the National Grid Transmission system during times of stress and help increased penetration of renewable generation by absorbing and distributing excess renewable power which might otherwise be wasted. The batteries will be in place for a temporary period lasting approximately 40 years.
Site Selection
The need to foster and encourage economic development is given much weight in National Planning Policy, especially in rural areas where this type of development is necessary. The site falls outside many of the exclusion zones dictated by the planning framework and on that basis, we have pursued the development.
Construction
The construction of the proposed Battery Storage System will typically take around 6 months.
A typical running order of the proposed works is as follows:
• Erection of security fencing;
• Construction of temporary site compounds and hardstanding;
• Delivery of components and materials;
• Installation of battery units and associated infrastructure;
• Cable works and grid connection; and
• Reinstatement works and demobilisation from Application Site. Operation and Decommissioning
The equipment will be remotely monitored to ensure the development is working as expected and routine maintenance visits will take place consisting of between 20-30 Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs = Small Vans) per year, with additional visits required to attend to remedial issues when necessary. The operational access point will use the existing access connected to the Shore,
We are committed to hearing your views before we submit a planning application and to do so we have arranged two separate consultation events that will take place on the following dates:
- 8th January 2025 (1pm-7pm)
- 22nd January 2025 (1pm-7pm)
Both events will be be held at Longforgan Bowling Club, 19 Wallace Pl, Longforgan, Dundee DD2 5EE. We have already held one at Errol Village Hall, Perth PH2 1QH on 26th November 2024.
Upon decommissioning, all elements of the development will be completely removed and either recycled or reused. It is expected that the decommissioning process should have an allowance of 1 year to cater for any unforeseen delays that could be experienced. Following decommissioning the land will be fully restored to agricultural use.