The Scottish Government Reporter has rejected the appeal for the first planning application to establish a battery energy storage facility at green belt land on Glasgow Road in Eaglesham.
The Scottish Government Reporter has concluded that the proposal does not meet key green belt planning policies.
One of the points highlighted by the Reporter is that the purpose of the green belt is undermined due to the proposal’s “lack of fit” with the rural setting.
The Reporter also refused the appeal on grounds that, “the proposed layout does not align with the appellant’s Outline Battery Safety Management Plan”, when it comes to water storage at the site.
However, the developer still has planning permission after the council’s Planning Committee voted through the second application in April.
There were around 250 objections to the first proposal and the council received around 315 submissions from local residents in opposition to the second application.
Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw objected to both planning applications and he has said the Reporter’s decision is a humiliation for East Renfrewshire Council.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“The Scottish Reporter has recognised that the battery energy storage proposal should not proceed because it does not meet green belt planning policies but East Renfrewshire Council failed to do likewise.
“In the decision notice, the Reporter specifically stated that ‘the proposal does fail to satisfy policy on the green belt’ and concern is also raised about the Battery Safety Management Plan.
“Local people should be in no doubt that the battery plant is now only able to go ahead because of the actions of East Renfrewshire Council and the decision of two Labour councillors and one independent former SNP councillor to vote through the second application.”
“The Reporter’s decision highlights with even greater clarity that people in Eaglesham and Waterfoot have been utterly ignored and failed by the council.
“The judgement of the planning service in recommending the battery plant for approval on two separate occasions must now be called into question and the councillors who voted through the development should consider their position and resign.
“There has to be accountability for the unacceptable council decision to grant planning permission.”
