Lower Penn Parish Council (LPPC) 5 February 2026
BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) Factsheets Fact Sheet 8
Introduction - Further to Fact Sheet 7 published in October 2025, LPPC wish to thank Lower Penn residents for all their support in objecting to the Market Lane BESS application (ref 24/01102/FULM) as this was rejected by SSDC on 19 December. The rejection was for various reasons but particularly in consideration of a reduction in Green Belt along and Noise pollution issues.
The Applicant has 6 months in which to appeal against this rejection decision and the situation is being monitored closely.
NESO – National Energy System Operator – supply and demand has been in question for many months and in February 2025 special measures were taken in Parliament giving the National Grid new powers to establish balance. NESO are expected to report this month, the report will confirm which installations can be connected to the National Grid and those that are to be set aside.
Therefore, although construction work has started on the Holly Bush pub and Penstone Lane sites it is unclear yet whether it will be completed soon … none the less residents are urged to be wary of Construction traffic. Dimmingsdale BESS was approved at the SSDC meeting on June 17, so far there are no signs of construction work starting, we will keep you informed.
Langley road site has been completed by the developer, commissioned and passed over to the Operator. We have received some comments from residents close to the site about noise and light issues and will continue to monitor this facility.
We are currently not aware of any other BESS applications in our Parish; many residents have commented that we have enough already.
Communication / SSDC Planning team – two meetings have been held with SSDC Planning team in Codsall in which many of the queries raised by residents were discussed and the requirement to improve communication understood.
Further BESS issues under discussion on social media have been the potential harm to our water sources, known as Aquifers. In the event of Lithium contaminating these sources if could affect our water, uncertainty on these issues prevails and we need to be more convinced. This is now being followed up.
Planning / Legal advice was appointed on 15 August Hannah Barter of Urban Vision Enterprise (www.uvecic.co.uk ) - initial planning advice is now drafted. UVE progress and planned activity will be reported at the LPPC monthly meetings.
Further Communication – BESS Fact Sheets 1-7 are posted on LPPC website https://lowerpenn-pc.gov.uk ie please see this if you wish to reference these documents?
BESS developments in our Parish will be discussed at the LPPC meetings going forward in Victory Hall, every first Thursday in the month starting at 7.15pm. Members of the public are very welcome, there is an item on the agenda for any questions.
If you do have any comments or concerns, then please contact us ie Lower Penn Parish Council clerk@lowerpenn-pc.gov.uk