A CONSULTATION on a proposed battery storage unit in Helensburgh could be conducted within a radius where no residents live, a councillor has claimed.
Ylem Energy’s proposal for the facility at Ardencaple Farm was discussed by councillors at a meeting this week.
A report stated that the company will consult with all three councillors for the Lomond North where the site is located – Maurice Corry (Conservative), Mark Irvine (Independent) and Iain Shonny Paterson (SNP) – along with Helensburgh Community Council.
Three community consultation events have already taken place, and all residents within a 750-metre radius of the site will be written to.
However, Councillor Irvine voiced doubt as to whether any residents live within the planned radius.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, September 20.
Councillor Irvine said: “I note that in the consultation process, the applicants have stated that they will write to all residents within a 750-metre radius.
“That might be slightly disingenuous, as I do not think there are any residents in that radius. I am not sure if the houses to the east of the Duchess Woods fall within that.
“I wonder if they might consider a broader radius for that? I would be grateful if this could be noted.”
Other councillors took the chance to make points - though the proposal is at the pre-application stage, meaning that no decision can yet be made on whether or not to award planning permission as a formal application has not been submitted.
Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn), who chairs the committee, said: “Given the nature of this, it would seem to me that it is not a particularly location-dependent development.
“So I would expect to see, as part of the application, information on why this needs to take place in the green belt, as opposed to elsewhere, where there might be fewer protections in place.”
David Moore, the council’s planning officer, said: “In terms of justifying the green belt location, there will need to be a submission by the applicants to clarify that.”
Councillor Graham Hardie (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh Central) asked: “I would be interested to know about the storage system and the noise it makes. There are no neighbours that close, but is noise an issue that can be looked at?”
Mr Moore said: “The community presentation does have information on the noise. The batteries give off a level of noise like a hoover or similar.
“So clearly there is some noise and it is something the applicants are aware of, and will ensure any application addresses any potential issues.”
A spokesperson for YLEM Energy said: “YLEM Energy is committed to engaging with residents of Helensburgh about our proposals.
"We have written to all residential properties within a 750-metre radius of the proposed development site regarding the proposals and inviting them to attend the consultation event, we have also contacted several other residential properties including some over 1km from the proposed development.
"As well as sending out letters to over 750 properties, we advertised the public consultation events in local and national media outlets, both in print and online.
“Concerns around noise and site selection have been discussed at length at our consultation events and further information will be submitted alongside our planning application.”
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