JohnPlans for an energy storage plant near Allerton Bywater have resurfaced, after developers appealed against the refusal of planning permission.
More than 1,200 people objected to Harmony Energy’s plans for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land off Newton Lane, between Ledston and Allerton Bywater. The proposals were thrown out by councillors in Leeds last July.
Harmony said the development would help tackle climate change and stabilise energy supplies by storing electricity for future use.
But the developer has exercised its right to appeal to an independent planning inspector against the refusal.
Posting on Facebook, the Kippax and Methley councillors Mary Harland, James Lewis and Michael Millar said: “The ‘big battery’ planning application is back again despite being rejected twice by Leeds Council.
“At the last planning committee meeting where it was turned down Mary and James represented local people who were opposed to the plans and Michael moved the recommendation to reject the application which the planning committee voted through.
“The applicant Harmony Energy have taken their rights to make an appeal to a planning inspector, this means it’s not a council issue but we will continue to fight for local people and against putting batteries in this location when the Inspector has their public hearing.
“We’ve written out to people living close to the site with some practical information on the next steps and we’re sharing hear so that more people will see the details. We don’t know when the public hearing will be yet and we will let people know.”
Leeds City Council initially refused planning permission for the Allerton Bywater proposals in November 2023 after environmental and fire safety fears were raised, along with the impact on green belt land.
The appeal will be decided by an inspector at the Planning Inspectorate, a Government department.
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