Keeping the Lights On When They’re Needed Most
Our proposals will deliver 99.4 MW of energy storage. This means we can store surplus electricity when it’s generated and release it back to the grid when demand is high. It helps keep the energy system steady and reliable, making sure thousands of homes and businesses always have the power they need.
To find out more about the proposals, meet the project team and have any questions you may have answered, please come along to our community drop-in event taking place at Alverdiscott Village Hall, Stoney Cross, EX39 4PZ on Wednesday 10th December from 3 – 7pm.
Project Benefits
Boosting local funds: The project will generate between £241,000 and £369,000 every year in business rates for the local council. The plans will also support Torridge District Council's commitment to a target of net zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2030, and for the districts by 2050.
Cutting energy costs: By storing extra renewable energy and releasing it when demand is high, the BESS helps keep electricity system costs down—saving money for consumers.
Creating jobs: From construction through to operation, the project brings local employment opportunities.
Securing energy supply: BESS facilities reduce the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, helping to keep the lights on, cut blackout risks, and drive a cleaner future.
Powering homes: Enough energy to supply around 39,949 UK households every year.
Slashing emissions: The Development will offset 20,158 tonnes of CO2e per year the equivalent of 4,382 average cars off road
Supporting nature: The scheme will deliver at least a 10% biodiversity net gain, creating more space for local wildlife to thrive.
Local farmer benefits: Provides an opportunity for the local farmer to diversify income and strengthen the long-term resilience of their farming business.
We have been engaging the local community on our proposals since early September, and have obtained local feedback on our plans. To find out more about the proposals, meet the project team and have any questions you may have answered, please come along to our community drop-in event taking place at Alverdiscott Village Hall, Stoney Cross, EX39 4PZ on Wednesday 10th December from 3 – 7pm.
We have now made considerable design changes to the scheme in response to the feedback we have received. Although an application is now being submitted, the design of the scheme is not fixed and we are continuing to consider feedback.
Latest changes to scheme
Comparison to show updated Site Layout Plan and earlier Development Zone Plan (drag the slider to the left to view the earlier plan and view the comparison)
Key (click to enlarge)
As can be seen in the updated Site Layout Plan, key changes have been made to the proposed layout which include:
Development has been removed from the north-west corner of the site which is closest to immediate neighbours.
The number of battery units and total development area have been reduced.
Remaining development has been relocated further south and rearranged to position the substation (approx. 7 m high) on the plateau on site — further from nearby residences to the north.
The northern access is now for emergency use only, reducing disruption from this access.
These changes directly respond to feedback on the originally consulted on Development Zone Plan, which had proposed development on a greater proportion of the site including the north-west corner. You can move the slider on the plan shown on this page which provides a comparison of the updated Site Layout Plan with the earlier Development Zone Plan.
The latest Landscape Strategy Plan sets out the proposed boundary enhancements designed to further minimise views into the site. These include new hedgerow and tree planting to connect with the existing trees and hedgerows and help buffer key viewpoints. Areas of wildflower meadow and species-rich grassland are also proposed, both to improve visual quality and to deliver additional biodiversity benefits.
Updated Landscape Strategy Plan (click to enlarge)
The proposed site is located on Wellington Field at West Webbery Farm in the parish of Alverdiscott and Huntshaw. Its proximity to an existing electricity substation makes it suitable for a battery energy storage facility.
We are also proposing new landscaping, fencing and ecological enhancements to help screen the facility and embed the site into its surroundings and deliver a net-gain for biodiversity.
The site has been selected primarily because it lies close to the existing Alverdiscott electricity substation, where it would connect directly to the National Grid. This makes it a highly suitable and efficient location for a battery energy storage facility. The land is not covered by any environmental, heritage, or landscape designations, and there are no constraints that would prevent its appropriate use for this purpose.
For the landowner, the project also provides an opportunity to diversify income and strengthen the long-term resilience of the farming business. The proposals would therefore contribute both to local economic stability and to the wider national effort to increase renewable energy use and progress towards net-zero carbon emissions.
Any impacts from noise, fire risk, the construction period and the ongoing work would be low, with extensive assessment and mitigation taking place to ensure this.
Site Location
Latest application site location boundary shown in red (click to enlarge)
We want to reassure you that the battery technology proposed for this site is widely used around the world and is recognised for its strong safety performance. Each unit is designed with multiple layers of protection, including built-in fire suppression, continuous temperature monitoring, and automatic shutdown systems.
A Fire Tender Swept Path Analysis has been completed to confirm that emergency vehicles can safely access the site. This assessment shows that a standard fire engine can easily enter, manoeuvre within, and exit the site in all directions, meeting all relevant emergency access and operational requirements.
The scheme incorporates a comprehensive package of safety measures, including:
Specialist fire suppression systems developed specifically for battery energy storage.
Continuous thermal monitoring to detect and prevent any potential overheating, supported by 24-hour remote monitoring by a dedicated operations team.
Input from independent fire safety specialists, who are liaising with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to ensure the project meets all statutory responsibilities and adheres to national planning guidance, including the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage System Planning Guidance for Fire and Rescue Services.
The site will be enclosed by a 2.4-metre security fence and monitored 24 hours a day using inward-facing infrared CCTV cameras. This provides full visual coverage without the need for external lighting, helping to maintain dark conditions and safeguard local wildlife.
Safety remains Enray’s highest priority. We have appointed Greenfire Solutions, whose team includes former Chief Fire Officers, to develop an appropriate fire safety strategy. They are currently preparing a detailed Fire Safety Verification Report to ensure all potential risks are thoroughly understood and that the scheme aligns fully with NFCC guidance. Early discussions with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have not raised any objections, and the service will continue to be engaged as the application progresses.
Fire Safety and Access
We are assessing the levels and results show no unacceptable impacts.
In terms of noise, the cooling fans on the battery units are the predominant source of sound. A Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) has been completed to model the maximum sound levels from the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and this confirms there will be no unacceptable impacts arising from the operation. The NIA will be available to view once the application has been submitted on the Torridge District Council planning portal and the Environmental Health Officer will be consulted on the matter of noise impacts to again ensure no unacceptable impact arises.
Noise
Ecological surveys are guiding plans to improve habitats for local wildlife.
We’re also looking carefully at how new planting on site can both soften views into and out of the area and deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), leaving the natural environment in a better state than before.
In terms of environmental benefits, the scheme would achieve a 59.17% (4.90 units) net gain for habitats and 68.79% (2.36 units) for linear features within the site to support local wildlife and boost the local habitats. A bespoke Habitat Management Plan will be secured via a condition to ensure compliance with all ecological strategies for the site and deliver a real benefit for nature.
Biodiversity and Ecology Enhancements
