Petition: Update Planning Guidance for Battery Energy Storage Site (BESS)

Petition: To Update Planning Guidance for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to madate such sites should not be built on designated 'Green Belt Land' nor within 1 mile of residential property

Many of you have recently expressed your concerns about the influx of Battery Energy Storage Site Developments in our countryside. I'm pleased to share that I have put together the following petition to mandate more stringent regulations for building BESS sites in proximity to residential property and on Green Belt Land.

Whilst battery failures are rare, the consequences can be devastating, and over the past year there have been numerous fires at sites containing lithium ion batteries. From thermal runaway, to the release of dangerous chemicals - a fire at one of these sites could have devastating implications on nearby residential developments.

I am asking Parliament to consider updating National Planning Guidance for Battery Energy Storage Sites to specify that sites should not be built on designated 'Green Belt Land' nor within 1 mile of residential property. I believe that at present, the planning system is not equipped to fully consider the safety risks, nor permanent nature of the implications that these sites have on our precious Green Belt.

There are strict Parliamentary rules that govern petitions, which require the original, handwritten signatures (photocopies and electronic signatures are not permitted) of the petitioners. Please register your interest in signing the below to mandate that BESS sites should not be built on designated 'Green Belt Land' nor within 1 mile of residential property and I will be in touch with further details shortly.

Battery Energy Storage Site Petition

I agree that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) should not be built on designated 'Green Belt Land' nor within 1 mile of residential property.

The petition of residents of Kingswinford and South Staffordshire,

Declare that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are an inappropriate and unsightly use of Green Belt land, whose characteristics are permanently and irrevocably altered due to the building of such sites.

They further declare that the Battery Energy Storage Systems present a real risk to persons and property; further asserting that National Planning Guidance should be reviewed to ensure building such facilities in close proximity to (within one mile) residential dwellings is not permitted.

The building of BESS sites would leave many people exposed to an unreasonable level of risk due to the risk of thermal runaway, release of hydrogen fluoride and risk of explosion in the event of a fire.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons review the regulations on Battery Energy Storage Sites, imposing further conditions that they cannot be build on land designated as 'Green Belt,' nor within 1 mile of residential property.

And the petitioners remain, etc.

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