November 2024 Update

 

Application ECU Reference: ECU00004926 is still under consideration by the Scottish Ministers. This application is being amended to sub-divide the site with Parcel A being retained, and a new application for Parcel B. The collective administrative output being that two S36 consents can be issued and assigned accordingly. There are no material changes to the layout/design as previously assessed and the proposed scheme is considered to be as per the previously submitted application. The two applications are effectively the same, retaining the same red line boundary plan; supporting information; mitigation/enhancements. Common elements, such as substations, are retained within both schemes and the formation of the two parcels are reflected within the revised plans. Consequently, the submissions made to the Scottish Ministers seeks consent to construct and operate:

 

• Application A (Amendment): "Application for Battery Energy Storage System and Associated Infrastructure amendment to application only, to sub-divide the Site with 'Parcel A' being retained, comprising 240 MW of BESS and Associated Infrastructure).

 

• Application B New "Application for Battery Energy Storage System and Associated Infrastructure (amendment to application ECU Reference: ECUO0004926, to sub-divide the Site with Parcel B being formed comprising 102 MW of BESS and Associated Infrastructure).

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You can view the documents of Application B on the Scottish Government Energy Consents website at https://www.energyconsents.scot, application reference number ECU00006022, or via link: https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationDetails.aspx?cr=ECU00006022

 

As part of this updated plans have been prepared as well as an Addendum Statement for each application. These can be viewed via the below links.

 

The Addendum Statements are intended to be read as an addendum to the previously submitted documents and plans which was submitted with the application in January 2024 It accompanies a submission amending the application and is complemented by an amended plan pack.

 

Information previously submitted within the originally submitted documents has not been repeated and as such the Addendum only deals with matters raised as a result of the proposed amendments to the application and amended submitted plans.

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The previously submitted reports have assessed a worst-case scenario i.e. considering Parcel A and Parcel B alongside each other for example, in terms of noise, visual impacts, ecology and highways. Whilst separate consents are now being sought for the two parcels, the amendments/new application are only required to facilitate two consents for assignment purposes only. The likelihood is that the two parcels will be constructed side by side. However, by ensuring that the mitigation and enhancement requirements set out within the supporting documents and plans are delivered (in the event that only one parcel is commenced and completed, or that they come forward at different times), they have (in their entirety) been retained in this submission and conditions can be imposed accordingly. On this basis the mitigation enhancement measures are potentially an over provision in some cases

 

The application has been subject to statutory consultee comments and found to be acceptable by East Lothian Council, Nature Scot, RSPB Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Network Rail, Transport Scotland, Scottish Forestry and Scottish Water. The underlying development is fundamentally the same and all mitigation enhancements remain.

 

On this basis as such the conclusions of the previously submitted reports remain valid.

 

Amended Application A - Updated Plans & Reports