Balance Power Projects Ltd has been granted planning permission following an appeal for a gas-powered standby electricity generation facility near Sudbury in Suffolk. The three generators are designed to operate for up to 2,500 hours a year and could power 23,000 homes for the next 20-25 years. They would only be used during peak demand periods.
This would mean that the plant could produce 2.2 million kg of carbon emissions per year. As a result the proposed development was in conflict with the Babergh Local Plan, which states that "all new development will be required to minimise dependence on fossil fuels and make the fullest contribution to mitigation of climate change through adopting a sustainable approach to energy use".
Whilst National Policy seeks to move towards a low carbon economy, it does acknowledge that some renewable sources are intermittent and that even if the UK's electricity supply was almost completely decarbonised, some fossil fuel generation may be required when generation from renewables does not meet demand.
As a result, although the proposal is in conflict with local policies, it does generally align with wider national policy, as it would contribute to the reliability of the electricity supply rather than be the main point of generation. The planning inspector dealing with the appeal, Cullum Parker, conceded that "Whilst it might appear counter-intuitive to use a fossil fuel which creates carbon for a peak demand facility it is, in a sense, a necessary evil". The inspector also acknowledged that when viewed outside of the national context, the proposal is in conflict with local policies.
However, the inspector concluded that the proposal would support a nationwide shift towards low carbon energy production and would support national policy as the transition to low carbon energy is a national movement.
The inspector also had to consider other issues, such as the proximity of the development site to a Grade 1 listed church, the potential impact on a Public Right of Way and air quality impacts (which would require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency). However, once carefully considered, the inspector demonstrated how these concerns would not be enough to justify the dismissal of the appeal.
As such, the appeal has been allowed and planning permission granted, subject to conditions.
