Planning Balance – Harm > Benefit The BESS was removed in response to justified public concern over the safety risk . The BESS was a health and safety threat. However, it’s removal significantly weakens the claimed benefits of the scheme , which was partly justified as contributing to energy storage and grid stability. Now, electricity can only be exported when the sun is shining which is not aligned with demand peaks — undermining claims of reliability or strategic value . At the same time, fire risks remain , as solar panels, transformers and inverters are all prone to overheating and failure.
Very little electricity will be sent to the National Grid on dark winter days, exactly the time when the demand is high In no sense does this justify covering 235 acres of Green Belt and productive farmland with glass, steel and security fencing . As the House of Commons Select Committee warned, 7 July 2025: solar development must avoid high-quality farmland and inappropriate sites. 11