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<\/p>\nBirmingham City Council’s planning committee is preparing to review plans for a 49.9-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Sutton Coldfield.<\/p>\n
The project, expected to gain approval subject to Section 106 agreements, is designed to store surplus electricity and feed it back into the grid during periods of peak demand.<\/p>\n
It includes ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and is planned for a temporary period of up to 40 years.<\/p>\n
The 1.25-hectare site, located south of Bulls Lane and east of Wishaw Lane, would host 14 strings of battery cabinets, associated inverters and transformers, control buildings, a 132\/33kV switchyard, access tracks, lighting, CCTV, and parking, alongside landscaping measures to enhance biodiversity.<\/p>\n
The facility would extract excess electricity from the grid during low-demand periods and return it when demand rises, supporting the UK\u2019s transition to a low-carbon economy.<\/p>\n
Local authority officers and statutory consultees have broadly supported the scheme, subject to conditions.<\/p>\n
Tree, conservation, and landscape officers raised no objections, while ecology recommendations include a Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fee and ecological management measures.<\/p>\n
Environmental Pollution Control requested limits on noise, contamination remediation, and lighting strategies, and transportation officials recommended a construction management plan and road condition monitoring.<\/p>\n
However, the proposal has faced criticism. The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) raised concerns over insufficient evidence for drainage and downstream flow capacity, requiring proof of legal rights to discharge and detailed network modelling.<\/p>\n
Public objections cited fire safety, water supply adequacy, environmental risks, and proximity to residential and industrial areas.<\/p>\n
The Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council highlighted the need for strengthened landscaping, lighting, and emergency access measures, while local councillors expressed concern about fire and pollution risks given the technology\u2019s relative novelty.<\/p>\n
The applicant, Wiggins Hill BESS Ltd, has proposed a comprehensive package of technical and safety measures to mitigate risks, including fencing, lighting, and CCTV, and has committed to restoring the site after 40 years of operation.<\/p>\n
The planning committee is scheduled to review the application on 16 April 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Birmingham City Council\u2019s planning committee looks set to back the project, pending a Section 106 agreement<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2110559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120821,120780,50204],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2110558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-construction","category-sustainability","category-technology","tag-greater-birmingham","tag-top-story"],"yoast_head":"\n