Glenapp: Pre Planning
Finalising the development proposal, allowing for further engagement with stakeholders and host communities.
Current Status
The Glenapp Project is currently in pre planning. This phase seeks to:
- Refine the project.
- Allow for further engagement with stakeholders and host communities in order to finalise our proposal prior to submission.
- Ensure we have considered constraints and opportunities relating to the development of the project within the design.
The site
The proposed site extends to approximately 7.4ha of agricultural land located just to south of the hamlet of Smyrton, South Ayrshire. This has not changed since the early development phase. The access to the site has been included on the red line boundary. A description of the site is included within the early development page.
Design Refinement
Further design work has now been undertaken and the layout has been refined.
The main elements of the development are now located within the centre of the site. This will reduce the visual impact from more distant viewpoints and provides a safe distance for the development to operate from the wind turbine. The substation size and location has been revised and reduced.
Further changes have been made to ensure emergency access has been proposed for access during operation and would allow easier access to the site in an emergency. Water tanks have been provided.
Landscape and visual amenity
Neither the site nor the surrounding area is subject to any national landscape designations but is covered by a Local Landscape Area. Further layout design and landscaping we have aimed to reduce any impact on visual amenity. A landscape and visual appraisal has been undertaken. This has considered different development layout options and made recommendations for robust screening as set out in the .
Following initial engagement with the host community we have also considered any local views on areas of greatest sensitivity, this includes the core path that runs alongside the site.
On completion of the appraisal, a Landscape Plan has been prepared as part of the detailed design stage, and these will set out any required mitigation measures.
Ecology and habitats
The site does not contain any areas designated for their ecological value, and it would not require the loss of any trees or woodland. The adjacent moorland is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA). We have completed further surveys to ensure there is no significant effects on any Protected Species, Breeding Birds and other species that use areas close to the site. Mitigation measures to protect any species have been put in place.
A preliminary ecological appraisal has already been undertaken and has not identified any sensitive habitats that cannot be avoided as part of the development proposal within the site.
A comprehensive landscaping scheme, likely to include shrub and woodland planting, grassland and wildflower meadows, will enhance the overall biodiversity value of the site as part of the development. It will consider ensuring that the development is incorporated into the wider landscape and provide enhanced habitats.
Heritage
The site contains minimal built or cultural heritage constraints. Glenapp Castle Hotel is 1.3km from the site and is a Category B Listed Building. The surrounding woodland is recorded as a Gardens and Designed Landscape.
The design of the proposed development has ensured any views from Glenapp Castle are not significantly impacted however it’s likely, at this distance and with intervening tree cover there will be little or no impact.
Further discussions with consultees have determined the scope of archaeological works likely to be required as part of the development proposals.
Flood risk
The Auchencrosh Burn bounds the site to the southwest boundary – a 6m wide riparian buffer strip will be maintained to ensure appropriate offsetting of the development. The site is not affected by fluvial or surface water flooding. A Drainage Impact Assessment has been undertaken and SuDS utilised for surface water run-off.
Drainage infrastructure has been proposed to mitigate against any impacts resulting from surface water as a result of the development and to ensure that any increase in run off is mitigated and attenuated so as to not cause drainage issues elsewhere.
A water supply reservoir and borehole are located adjacent to the site and construction techniques and a risk assessment for all supplies will be submitted as part of the consent application.
Noise
Noise assessments have been undertaken to ensure that the design and location of the development takes into account the amenity of any local residents.
Consideration of a layout that minimises noise impact on residential properties within the area has been a primary driver throughout the design stage. The noise assessment confirms the development will not impact on residential amenity.
Loss of agricultural land
Agricultural land on site is Grade 4.2 (Non-Prime Agricultural Land).
At the end of its operational life the BESS will be removed, and the site restored, leading to no permanent loss of agricultural land. As such there would be minimal long-term impact on the existing agricultural land.
Access
Access would be taken from the existing substation road off the A77. All construction routing will be via the A77 and the existing access to Auchencrosh Converter Station.
Other than use of the A77 there would be no impacts on local roads. Lower 48 recognises that the general use of the A77 is a concern to communities and further detailed construction traffic management proposals will be discussed with community representatives should the proposal go ahead.
Fire Safety
Fire Safety has been raised as a key concern by the Community. BESS fires are extremely rare however safety is the over-riding priority for the construction and operation of the Glenapp site. Monitoring regimes and safeguards will be put in place within each unit, remotely supervised and controlled and with built in early fire detection, suppression and deflagration systems working to avoid, contain and douse any potential ‘thermal event.’
The system would be independently designed, constructed, tested and verified to the latest International Standards and Guidance.
The Fire Strategy Plan sets out additional site wide measures which include:
- An emergency access from the A77 to allow for multiple access points to the site in line with the National Fire Chiefs Council Guidance.
- Tanked onsite storage to ensure in the event of an accident water is available for firefighting in line with the National Fire Chiefs Council Guidance.
- Emergency Response Plans will be put in place and agreed with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service prior to any construction being undertaken
Further information is provided in our consultation materials and in our FAQ section.
Associated FAQs
If you have any questions regarding battery or solar development, or Lower 48 Energy Ltd, please check out these FAQs or get in touch.
We understand that there are concerns regarding the safety of BESS installations. Lower 48 will source battery systems that have safety systems that meet all relevant regulations. BESS fires are extremely rare and Lower 48 have put in place measures to minimise the potential. The BESS site will be subject to a number of safety measures
- Monitoring of each individual and collective set of batteries within the container. Monitoring will ensure shut down of the batteries to ensure that temperatures do not exceed normal operating temperatures to prevent the risk of combustion
- Each container will incorporate a chemical fire suppression system to prevent a fire should the monitoring systems fail
- A misting system will be incorporated into the fire safety system to minimise the risk of fire
- Each container will be certified to resist fire for at least 90 minutes
- Should all of the safety mechanisms fail water will be stored on site sufficient to allow for firefighting requirements as recommended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue services guidelines.
- Two accesses have been proposed to allow for access in an emergency
- Surface water management will ensure that surface water is captured and stored for safe disposal in the event of an accident.
Site wide measures are contained within the Fire Safety Strategy Plan.
Yes, we will, but here is the background. Under supervision of the Scottish Government, The Energy Consents Unit has published good practice guidance on the procedures for applications for Battery Energy Storage Systems under sections 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. This guidance provides advice for projects requiring an environmental impact assessment.
We believe that the project will take about two years to obtain full planning permission. This is because the project will be decided upon by the Scottish Government under the Section 36 of The Electricity Act. The Scottish Government must approve all projects over 50MW in size for Battery Energy Storage Systems.
Our philosophy is to work as far as possible with local businesses. We hope in doing so we are better off at listening and modifying our project to accommodate the local community views. We have appointed Blackhall & Powis, one of Scotland's leading planning agencies to assist with our planning application. Blackhall & Powis have staff based in Aberdeen who are leading the application. To support our application Blackhall & Powis will use a range of local specialist businesses such as Plan A Consult, for reports on ecology, acoustic and archeology. Additionally, we have appointed local lawyers based on Queen’s Road in Aberdeen to assist us in our engagement with the local landowner, the National Grid, and our equipment suppliers.
Aberdeenshire’s historic experience in the offshore Oil & Gas industry has enabled Scotland to lead the way with regards to Offshore Wind generation. So successful has this been that the UK generates more electricity than any other country on earth via Offshore Wind. The UK National Grid is investing billions of pounds to upgrade and create new electrical infrastructure to enable this green generation to be distributed to consumers. However, there are lots of times in any given day that there is a power imbalance between generation and demand. By locating Batteries close to points of wind generation we can significantly reduce the electrical losses and correct power imbalance found in transmission in the National Grid.
