RESIDENTS are being reminded to get their objections in against plans to build a battery energy storage site (BESS) at land north of Styles Close in Frome.
The local opposition group STOPFROMEBESS says that the plans, if approved, will affect all Frome residents due to the potential fire risk and are asking for local people to let their objections be heard.
Developer Trina Solar UK Holdco Ltd submitted plans for a facility with a capacity of around 30mw at land north of Styles Close, which would sit just 50 metres from the nearest home. Residents have previously raised concerns over a potential fire risk as the facility would use lithium-iron-phosphate battery technology which, if caught fire, they say could quickly engulf nearby houses.
Sites such as the one proposed would store excess renewable energy so it can then be used for future consumption. Frome Town Council has already submitted its objections to the plans and local opposition group STOPFROMEBESS is appealing for more local people to object.
The group says, “We are calling on the 28,000 townspeople to look at the current facts and think about whether Frome wants a large BESS here for 40 years, if planning permission granted. Is this really safe? We are absolutely not against BESS but not in residential areas. 66 incidents involving these sites around the world are all there is to base theories on. Fire services throughout the UK and world are grappling with this – not the developers.”
To sign the petition to stop the plans visit www.change.org/p/stop-frome-battery-energy-storage-site-bess
To comment on the application search 2023/1070/F UL on Somerset Council’s planning portal.
