The risk of contaminated water runoff following any attempted extinguishing of potential battery fires at a proposed charging hub in Devon has seen the government turn down a planning application.
The operators of Greendale Business Park on the outskirts of Exeter had wanted to install 30 EV bays alongside two HGV chargers and a battery energy storage system (BESS), intended to store renewable energy generated during times of low demand.
A planning application was initially made in early 2024 but was subsequently withdrawn by the developer, FWS Carter & Sons, before being resubmitted a year later.
East Devon District Council refused the application on a number of grounds, voicing concerns that the site was too far away from a trunk road or motorway; that there would not be enough security at the 24-hour site; and that the location was not easily accessible by sustainable transport.
The developers lodged an appeal with the government’s Planning Inspectorate, but that body also rejected the proposal, predominantly over concerns the BESS facility presented too high a risk.
The Inspectorate advised that while “fires at BESS sites are rare”, because “current firefighting practices seek to cool battery units adjacent to the affected unit” there “remains a tangible risk that containment firewater could become contaminated and go on to infiltrate the surface water or groundwater systems and thus private water supplies”.
The developers have stated they intend to submit revised plans for the project.
