FRIENDS of the River Frome (FORF) have raised concerns about the location of a proposed battery energy storage site (BESS) due to the close proximity of the application site to Rodden Lake stream.
Trina Solar Hold Co Ltd have submitted plans to build a 30MW lithium iron phosphate battery energy storage site in Frome, in a small cul-de-sac, just 32 metres from houses in Styles Close. It is adjacent to an electricity substation next to Rodden Brook Stream, which flows into the River Frome and within 250 metres to a primary school, nursery and care home.
The plans have also been fiercely opposed by local residents who created the group Stop Frome BESS and they say that there are serious safety concerns with the application. Frome Town Council also objected to the plans on the grounds that the proposed site is too close to homes and poses a risk to public safety from a potential fire. Somerset Council says that they anticipate that a decision will be made on the application by the end of summer.
The Friends say that while they support the creation of BESS in principle, should a fire arise for the site proposed in Frome, large amounts of pollution could leak into the Rodden Lake stream and then into the River Frome.
FORF say, “We support the creation of BESS in principle as part of the transition to a low-carbon economy, but [we] must raise an objection to this particular proposal due to the close proximity of the application site to Rodden Lake stream.
“Specifically, FORF has serious concerns that in the event of a fire at the battery storage facility the proposed sustainable drainage system measures will be overwhelmed, resulting in potentially large amounts of pollution ending up in Rodden Lake stream and then into the River Frome. This would have a catastrophic impact on the river ecology downstream.
“River invertebrates and fish, as well as iconic river species such as otters, beavers and kingfishers would be adversely impacted. The river ecology is already under considerable strain due to other river pollution and could not survive any additional pollution incident from the proposed battery storage facility.”
The above concerns are underlined by the response from the Devon and Dorset Fire and Rescue service (DSFRS) with the following statement, “DSFRS recognises BESS pose specific hazards in the event of fire that are still not fully understood or researched. As a result, regulations, enforcement and best practice to mitigate the risk from BESS are still in development.”
FORF continue, “DSFRS do go on to acknowledge the measures proposed by the applicant to address fire safety concerns and incident response but note that the submitted information is limited and that further detail is required.
“It is also noted that thermal management of the batteries will be provided by a liquid cooling system that will assist in maintaining battery cells within safe temperature limits. This liquid cooling system, along with water and chemicals used to suppress any fire, risk ending up in the surrounding water table should there be a fire incident with damage to the site and related infrastructure.
“Limited information has been supplied by the applicant concerning the battery technology and the detailed systems and/or other protocols that will be adopted to prevent a thermal runaway event from occurring. Furthermore, it would appear that relevant guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council has not been fully adopted.
“DSFRS conclude that should planning approval be given, it is recommended that a detailed battery storage management plan (BSMP) should be prepared once the developer knows what technologies, suppliers and manufacturers are to be used.
“In this event, FORF would wish to be consulted on any BSMP submitted to ensure that the serious concerns raised about pollution of the water table and surrounding watercourse, including the River Frome, are properly addressed and enforced in perpetuity. In particular, FORF would wish to know which regulatory authority would be responsible for monitoring and enforcing agreed safeguarding measures?”
FORF is a community group and registered charity that works to improve, protect and celebrate the River Frome. In 2020 FORF produced a ten-year strategy (Frome River Strategy) which was adopted by Frome Town Council. The strategy contains a range of projects to be implemented within the plan period to 2030 including the need to “Ensure that the interests of the River are properly considered in the planning of new developments, by providing advice and comment on any new development likely to affect the River and landscape setting”.
You can view the plans in full by searching 2023/1070/FUL on Somerset Council’s planning portal.
