PARISH councillors in Bremhill voted in majority to object to a planning application for an 'energy barn' in Hill Field near Charlcutt, Calne.

The councillors, who voted overwhelmingly to object the plans with one abstention in East Tytherton on October 3, have issued a detailed object letter using their recently completed neighbourhood plan as a defence.

Ian James, Chairman of the Bremhill Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: "The people of Bremhill Parish have been involved in a consultation process which has involved a response to a questionnaire, three public meetings, and commenting on the completed plan. Overwhelmingly the public has stressed the importance of maintaining open countryside, and protecting the landscape.

"Such a large building proposed at Spirthill is contrary to Neighbourhood Policy one and at the Parish Council meeting a number of parish councillors spoke out strongly against such a development."

The proposed steel-framed 10MW battery storage facility barn developed by Green Hedge, which will house racks of lithium-ion batteries, inverters and transformers, has caused outrage among the surrounding communities with more than 60 representation letters submitted to the council from residents and national organisations alike.

According to the statistics used to create the neighbourhood plan, 86 per cent of respondents agreed it was highly important that the rural areas of the parish remain unspoilt and the parish council's objection letter also lists the size and screening of the proposal as issues which contravene Wiltshire Council's core policy.

Sandy Thwaites of the Charlcutt Ridge Action said: "We are delighted with the support we have had from the Parish council and we now have to convince the County council that the proposed location in an isolated field is totally inappropriate for a large industrial unit.

"Whilst we all support the principle of new energy storage initiatives, we think they need to be located close to other industrial or farm buildings or on brownfield sites where the landscape impact will be minimal and demonstrate genuine farm diversification.

"We believe this application is in danger of being rushed through to meet government grant deadlines without the closest of scrutiny that should be given to something so new and with so many uncertainties.

"Further serious concerns were raised by our community at the Parish council meeting including queries over the type of batteries to be stored in close quarters and the potentially high fire risk attached; and whether there is any real need for extra energy in the Calne and Lyneham area which this location would feed."

For more information about the planning application search 16/08026/FUL on the Wiltshire Council planning portal.