UPDATE: Firstway Energy has just announced plans to appeal Bexley Council’s refusal of a controversial energy storage system, warning the council to prepare for costs soaring into the hundreds of thousands of pounds. The refusal came last month when the council rejected the proposal to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on agricultural land in Sidcup, citing “significant harm” to the rural landscape.
The proposed facility, measuring nearly the size of 10 football pitches, was intended to store 200 megawatts of electrical energy, enough to power 647,590 homes. Firstway claims it was blindsided by the rejection, asserting that their application was likely to be recommended for approval and discussed at the council’s Planning Committee. Instead, the application was dismissed by council officers without a committee review, a decision that Firstway Managing Director Nathan Stevenson criticized as unfair.
In a statement, Stevenson emphasized the critical importance of energy storage in supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy. “The negative stance taken by the London Borough of Bexley towards clean energy infrastructure flies in the face of the national effort to decarbonize the energy grid by 2030,” he stated.
Bexley Council has countered Firstway’s claims, explaining the procedural rules that dictated the rejection. According to council officials, only applications recommended for approval progress to the committee stage. A spokesperson stated, “Officers had worked proactively with the applicant… the recommendation was to refuse planning permission.”
This appeal is not just about the costs; it has broader implications for energy policy in the region. Stevenson noted that the appeal process would lead to delays and additional expenses, further complicating Firstway’s operations. “This decision will now incur the cost, delay and impact on Firstway Energy’s business of securing consent via an appeal,” he added, indicating a strong expectation of eventual success.
Firstway is also promoting another contentious proposal for a similar energy storage scheme on Dartford Road, which has attracted 314 letters of support and 169 objections. Stevenson urged Bexley Council to engage more actively this time to avoid another refusal.
As Firstway Energy moves forward with its appeal, all eyes will be on Bexley Council to see how they respond to the mounting pressure for renewable energy solutions in the area. The outcome could significantly influence future energy storage projects across the UK.
Stay tuned for developments on this urgent issue, as it directly impacts the future of energy infrastructure in London.
