RESIDENTS are strongly opposing planning application to build an ‘energy barn’ in a field in Spirthill, near Calne.

The Charlcutt Ridge Action Group believe the development would ruin the landscape and leave the whole area open to further industrial development if it is approved.

An energy barn is a newly built steel-framed building with a concrete foundation with the electricity storage system housed inside the building consisting of racks of lithium-ion batteries, inverters and transformers and is being developed by Green Hedge.

Sandy Thwaites, spokesperson for the The Charlcutt Ridge Action Group, said: “We recognise that new technologies are required to help our energy demands.

“However, we are strongly objecting to this particular application and have a further worry because, should it go through, it could literally leave the whole of Hill Field open to further industrial development.

“The developers’ own website states that the storage units ‘are compatible with future renewables projects as it may be possible to share the same substation.

“No rationale has been provided in the application for the choice of this field for storing a reserve electricity supply for the immediate area.

“So, we would like to know from Southern Electric whether our small nearby town of Calne genuinely needs the extra peak time energy input, and whether they would agree that brown field sites nearer big towns would not be more suitable locations for providing electricity where it is most needed.”

The developers want to place the unit, and its accompanying access road, on land owned by farm consultant, George Drewett, which is on a maize field.

Residents objecting to the proposed development have raised seven key concerns, mainly the impact it would have on the landscape and the fact that it would contradict the Parish‘s Neigbourhood Plan.

Richard Tucker, of Bremhill Parish Council, said: "Councillors subsequently made their site visit and offered the applicants the opportunity to put forward various mitigation measures but that opportunity was not considered necessary by them.

“I am personally disappointed at their decision to make no concessions whatsoever to this application as it implies a complete disregard for the landscape and the people living in, or visiting Bremhill Parish, and the draft Neighbourhood Plan.

“We shall have taken on board the serious concerns raised and the Parish Council will be voting on the issue at our next meeting on October 3.”

To see the full plans, search for 16/08026/FUL on Wiltshire Council’s planning website.