Welcome toBuckland Battery Storage
Buckland Battery Storage is a proposal for a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure, with a proposed storage capacity of up to 150MW, to be located on land south of Nottington Lane, near Buckland Ripers, Weymouth. Associated infrastructure includes cabling via the highway and step-up transformers to support the battery storage and connection into Chickerell substation. The proposed development is situated within the local authority area of Dorset Council.
Battery storage has an important role to play in decarbonising the UK’s energy supply as it provides a balancing mechanism to reduce the risk of power shortages and blackouts. This is done by drawing electricity from the National Grid when levels of generation on the network outweigh the levels of demand. The electricity is then discharged back onto the National Grid during periods of higher demand to ensure any energy generated is not wasted and there is no loss of power to end users. As defined by the National Grid, “Battery storage systems will play an increasingly pivotal role between green energy supplies and responding to electricity demands”.
About the site
The site covers an area of approximately 13.5 acres (5.5 hectares), located approximately 1km west of the small village of Buckland Ripers and adjacent to the existing solar farm on Nottington Lane. The development area of the site comprising the battery storage and associated infrastructure covers an area of approximately 4.39 acres (1.8 hectares). Connection from the battery storage site to Chickerell substation will be via underground cabling along highways, passing through a step-up transformer. The site of the proposed stand alone step-up transformer covers an area of approximately 2.7 acres (1.1 hectares) of brownfield land to the north of Weymouth FC stadium. Cabling along the highways route would be subject to appropriate construction phasing, management and agreement with the highways authority. Dorset Council will decide if planning should be granted. The proposal would provide benefits for Dorset and the local community through supporting the critical transition to renewable energy, and helping to support the response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency declared by the Council in 2019.
We have finalised design development, environmental and technical work and have consulted with the public and local stakeholders. A planning application has been submitted to Dorset Council, we will update this website as the application progresses.
Proposed Site Location Plan (to include the location of the battery storage, cable route and step-up transformer site)
The proposed site location plan shows the battery storage site, cable route along highways and step-up transformer site to connect to the National Grid. You can click on the image to zoom in.
Layout Plan for the Battery Storage Site (to include associated infrastructure and areas of enhancement and mitigation to be delivered as part of the development)
The proposed site layout plan shows the locations of the battery storage units and associated infrastructure. You can click on the image to zoom in.
Proposed Layout for the Step-up Transformer Site (to include associated infrastructure)
The proposed site layout plan shows the location of the step up transformer and associated infrastructure. You can click on the image to zoom in.
Visit the documents page to download these plans.
Timeline
Surveys
Summer 2023
Commenced surveys and development of early proposal.
Pre-application advice and Environmental Impact Assessment screening request submitted to Dorset Council.
The Council confirmed that the development does not require an Environmental Statement.
Developer formal consultation
Autumn 2023
Developer formal consultation with local communities and stakeholders.
Ongoing development of the proposal.
Final survey work.
Planning application submitted
Winter 2024
An application has been submitted to Dorset Council