Appeal at Newfields Farm, Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks, Staffordshire, ST9 0BS against the Refusal of Planning Permission for SMD/2024/0019
Amendments to Proposed Development & Associated Consultation
This website provides information in relation to an appeal at Newfields Farm, Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks, Staffordshire, ST9 0BS (“the Site”) against the refusal of planning application reference SMD/2024/0019. The appeal reference is APP/B3438/W/25/3362821.
The Appeal Scheme proposes the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with ancillary infrastructure, security fence, access, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements, to provide balancing services to the local electricity grid.
Updated Drawings
The Appellant has submitted the following updated drawings as part of this appeal, please click the drawing name to view:
- Site Layout Plan – drawing no. 1105-02-05-NF-SL-04032025 Rev 5.0
- Elevations and Sections of 132kV Metering Substation – drawing no. 88-10-05-PL-SS-ELV-01 Rev 6
- Elevations and Sections of 132kV Metering Substation – drawing no. 88-10-05-PL-SS-ELV-02 Rev 5
- Elevations and Sections of 132kV Metering Substation – drawing no. 88-10-05-PL-SS-ELV-03 Rev 5
- Plan and Elevations of BESS Units and MV SKID Solution drawing no. 88-10-05-PPL-EQ-03 Rev 6
- Figure 7: Strategic Landscape Planting Plan – drawing no. P23- 0415_EN_0007_G_0001
- Figure 8: Illustrative Landscape Sections – drawing no. P23- 0415_EN_0008_J_0001
These drawings replace drawing references 88-10-05-PL-LA-OA Rev R.11, 88-10- 05-P-PL-EQ03 Rev R.05, 88-10-05-P-PL-EQ04 Rev R.04, P23-0415_EN_0007_F_0001 and P23-0415_EN_0008_H_0001, which formed part of the refused planning application.
Updated Equipment
The updated proposals relate to changes in the proposed equipment, with noise suppression included. Correspondingly, the amendments include the removal of acoustic fencing from the top of the proposed 3-metre-high landscape bund to the west, whilst acoustic fencing with a height of 3 metres is proposed to the southern and eastern boundaries.
The changes in equipment also result in smaller energy storage containers, and thus the nearest battery storage container is located 46 metres away from Newfields Farmhouse, compared to a 40 metre separation distance shown on the Overall Site Layout drawing reference 88-10-05-PL-LA-OA Rev R.11, which formed part of the Planning Application. The amended layout includes 12 rows of battery energy storage containers (from 14 rows), with revised dimensions of approximately 3m high, 2.5m wide & 6m long (from 2.59m high, 2.44m wide & 12.19m long). Each of the 12 rows comprises transformer stations (from 14 no. skid solutions) with revised dimensions of approximately 3m high, 2.5m wide & 6m long (from 3.75m high, 2.06m wide & 9.04m long).
In addition, an amended Noise Impact Assessment (reference P23-129-R02v3) is also submitted with this appeal, to assess the noise generation impacts of the new equipment proposed. A Biodiversity Net Gain Metric (reference MAN.1807.010.EC.R.002), Flood Risk Sequential Assessment (reference P23-0415_R005v4 PL), FRA & Drainage Strategy Addendum, and updated Outline Battery Safety Management Plan (reference SHF.1807.005.PL.R.001.03) are all also submitted as appendices to the Appellant’s Statement of Case.
Consultation and How to Make Representations
For clarity, this consultation is not run on behalf of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. The purpose of the consultation is to specifically consult on the amended proposals. There will be an opportunity for the interested parties to respond to the appeal separately if desired.
Any representations should be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate within 21 days of the date of a letter which will shortly be issued to neighbours. This can be done through the following casework portal link: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3362821, emailing the case officer, Cassandra Low, at west2@planninginspectorate.gov.uk, or sending your comments directly to The Planning Inspectorate, 3C, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
Representations are required to quote the appeal reference (APP/B3438/W/25/3362821) and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s reference (SMD/2024/0019).
All comments received will be shared with both the Planning Inspectorate and the Council prior to the appeal hearing. Consultation responses will then be considered by the appointed Inspector alongside all other consultation responses received for this appeal. All comments submitted will be in the public domain and may be referred to during the hearing.
Related Applications
The Appellant has also submitted a new planning application to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s reference (SMD/2024/0556). The detail on this website relates only to the appeal of the refused application (SMD/2024/0019).
Documents Submitted with the Appeal
The documents submitted as part of the appeal in addition to the drawings noted above can be accessed here:
R003v4 PL – Full Statement of Case
Statement of Case Appendices:
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4 Part 1
Appendix 4 Part 2
Appendix 4 Part 3
Appendix 5 Part 1
Appendix 5 Part 2
Appendix 5 Part 3
Appendix 6
Appendix 7
Appendix 8