Issue - meetings

Report by Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment and Director of Energy, Waste and Environment.

The Committee is asked to consider the proposal for the scheme and the recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Environment contained in the report.

85.1   The Committee considered a report by Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment and Director of Energy, Waste and Environment (copy appended to signed minutes).

85.2   Following comments from Mrs Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment, Tom Coates, Senior Advisor, Daire Casey, Business Development Manager, Siobhan Walker, Programme Manager and Steve Read, Director of Energy Waste and Environment introduced the report with a presentation (copy of slides appended to the signed minutes). This report gave an overview of the project and the business case behind the estimated income that will be generated. The report also detailed the consultation work that has been carried out. Mrs Urquhart clarified that energy storage schemes such as the one proposed operate by purchasing electricity when it is cheap at times of low demand, store it in large batteries and sell it back to the National Grid at a significantly higher price at times of high demand. This helps to balance supply and demand on the grid and reduces overall generating requirements.

85.3   The Committee made comments including those that follow. It:

·         Welcomed the report, but wanted reassurance that this is the best use of the site. It was acknowledged that, as this is a closed landfill site options for development are limited and this use had the support of the South Downs National Park Authority. Assurances were given that the proposal was based on a strong business case. ultimately marketable. Other sites are being considered for similar projects.

·         Raised concerns over the surface water flooding event that occurred in August 2018 and requested reassurance that this project would not add to the fears of the nearby residents. It was noted that no letters of objection were received to the planning application. The timing of the demolition and construction will be crucial as a neighbouring landowner is carrying out works currently wand this is impacting on the access road.

·         Supported the reuse of recycled electric car batteries as an exemplar of best practice but queried the warranty on the battery life and whether this project will be able to take advantage of advances in technology over the life of the project. It was noted that the business case assumed the batteries would be routinely replaced after 7 – 8 years and would be upgraded accordingly.

·         Raised concerns around noise from the site. A risk assessment was carried out as part of the planning process and found that the noise impact would be minimal as is the case with the operational Westhampnett project. There is already some screening around part of the site.

85.4   Resolved – That the Committee:

1.   Supports the project but requests that the timing does not conflict with work already taking place on the neighbouring site.

2.   Request that a comprehensive traffic management plan is produced.

3.   Requests that the costs are clearly set out for the final decision report.