Over 600 people commented on the planning application, with the numbers of objectors and supporters almost being split down the middle.
Firstway Energy, a UK based energy storage developer with a portfolio of sites across England and Wales, wanted to build a battery energy storage system for a temporary operating period of 40 years on agricultural land east of North Cray Road.
The facility would have been capable of storing up to 200 megawatts of electrical energy, its purpose being to take energy from the national grid when supply is high and demand is low and feed it back when supply is low and demand is high.
According to planning documents, storage systems such as these support the development of renewable energy and are necessary to help meet the country’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
Residents opposed to the facility feared it posed a significant fire and safety risk – a notion disputed by Firstway.
Objectors also lamented the potential loss of agricultural land and the facility’s impact on the green belt and local wildlife.
Bexley Council refused the proposal because it felt the facility constituted “inappropriate development” within the green belt.
Council planners also decided by reason of its “engineered and industrialised form” and its placement within an area of the countryside with wide visibility, the facility would cause “significant harm” to the character and appearance of the landscape.
Conservative ward councillors in the North Cray area welcomed the refusal decision. Cllr Cameron Smith said: “This is a victory for North Cray residents, hundreds of whom objected to the proposals.
“It’s entirely inappropriate to build an industrial battery storage facility on farmland within Bexley’s precious remaining countryside.
“Bexley Conservatives are serious about protecting the green belt locally. Bexley Village, North Cray and Coldblow are special places to live because of their unique character and green spaces.
“That’s why we’re delighted that Bexley Council rejected the application outright – despite the Labour Government’s decision to weaken green belt protections.”
Cllr Kurtis Christoforides added: “I’m glad that so many residents had their say on this application, and that the council placed substantial weight on the many material planning considerations that they raised in their comments.”
This isn’t the only battery energy storage system Firstway wanted to build in Bexley.
The developer submitted plans to build a similar facility on land between the A2 and Dartford Road in June. Bexley Council has yet to make a decision on this planning application.
