By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby; additional reporting by Frome Times
Frome residents have failed in their bid to prevent a “hazardous” battery energy storage site from being built near a busy residential area.
Battery energy storage sites use batteries to store electricity generated at times of low demand, with the operators selling the energy back to the National Grid at peak times.
Trina Solar UK HoldCo Ltd. applied in June 2023 to build such a facility on land north of Styles Close in Frome, next to an existing substation.
Following outcry from local residents, Somerset Council’s planning committee east voted to refuse planning permission in early-February 2025 – a decision made with the backing of local MP Anna Sabine.
But the Planning Inspectorate has now overturned this decision following a successful appeal, ruling that the risk of fire was low and residents’ quality of life would not be adversely affected.
The planned facility will be accessed off Styles Close, around 30 metres from the nearest house, with a direct connection to the substation and new wetlands being created at the northern edge (near the Rodden Lake Stream) to mitigate the impact of construction.
A residents’ group, Stop the Frome BESS, has been fighting to stop the development and says they are ‘deeply disappointed’ with the Planning Inspector’s decision.
A spokesperson for Stop the Frome BESS said, “Local people raised serious, evidence-based concerns about safety, access, noise, ecology and proximity to schools and a care home and we are devastated that these have not been given the weight they deserve. We are now carefully considering our next steps and exploring what options remain open to the community.”
Inspector Graham Chamberlain visited the site on 27th October, and published his final report on the Planning Inspectorate’s official website on 12th November.
Mr Chamberlain said that the “notable slope” of the land away from the homes would reduce the impact of the facility, allowing the planned acoustic fence to adequately reduce noise generated by the transformers and associated equipment.
He added that the views from properties in Styles Close was “already compromised by existing overhead power lines, a pylon and the large substation”, arguing that the battery storage site, while “stark and dominant”, would not greatly exacerbate this situation.
MP Anna Sabine had raised the fire risk associated with battery storage sites when the committee met in early-February, stating: “I do believe we need to transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels, and these facilities can provide a partial solution to this.
“But clearly there are fire risks associated with any battery item, from household batteries setting fire to landfill sites to e-bikes, vapes and large-scale battery facilities.”
Councillor Adam Boyden (Liberal Democrat, Frome North) shared her concerns, commenting, “The community are terrified about the safety risks of fire, and we don’t have the technical reports in front of us.”
Responding to these concerns, Mr Chamberlain said, “Fire detection and prevention equipment would be installed in all battery units.
“The batteries would be continuously monitored and automatically shut down if there are any abnormalities.
“Each battery unit would also be equipped with an inert gas aerosol suppression system to extinguish fires if they were to occur, and each battery cabinet would be ventilated to remove the risk of pressure build-up.
MP Anna Sabine said, “I am disappointed that the plans to build a battery energy storage site near Styles Close have been approved. While I completely agree that we should be moving away from unsustainable and polluting fossil fuels as energy sources, the location of this storage site is a potential risk for the surrounding area, which includes residential neighbourhoods. I will continue to oppose the plans for this, while pushing for other green energy initiatives in our area.”
Construction of the battery energy storage site is expected to get under way early in the new year.
Picture: Holly Lawton
