Wakefield battery plant appeal moves to inspectorate

A Wakefield energy firm appeals a planning decision to reclassify a farm site for a battery energy storage system amid safety and local disruption concerns.

Energy firm appeals decision over Wakefield battery plant

YLEM Energy has appealed a planning decision that would reclassify a farm site in Old Syndale as grey belt land to host a battery energy storage system. In July, residents opposed to the scheme urged councillors to reject it, with former Super League referee Ben Thaler addressing Wakefield Town Hall on behalf of more than 100 villagers and raising concerns about public safety, infrastructure and local well being.

Aidan Van De Weyer, speaking for the applicant, argued the project would help meet net zero targets by harnessing wind and solar power. He said the developers had worked to minimise impacts on highways, heritage and ecology, and noted there had been two fires at similar facilities in the UK, but each had been contained to a single container. He added that safety standards have improved greatly and there are many measures in place to keep the scheme as safe as possible. Planning officer Chris Kenyon said no technical consultants had objected to the plan. Committee members refused the scheme by three votes to two, with one councillor abstaining. The Planning Inspectorate said the appeal would be determined through written submissions.

The clash highlights a basic tension in the energy transition: how to balance local land use and safety with national goals for decarbonization. Redefining the site as grey belt suggests a strategic move to widen options for storage projects, but it also invites heightened scrutiny of disruption, traffic and nearby services. The public debate shows how communities want a say in siting decisions that affect daily life.

The case could set a regional precedent for battery energy storage siting near villages. If the inspectorate sides with opponents, planners may need stronger safety assurances and clearer community plans. If the appeal favors the applicant, the pressure to accelerate green projects could rise, potentially at the cost of local trust.

Highlights

The next steps will test how communities and planners balance ambition with everyday safety.