Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP calls for control on battery storage sites
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood has spoken in parliament about the government's plans to make it easier for developers to build Battery Energy Storage sites on greenbelt land.
He is concerned about the safety of Lithium-ion battery after a fire at a solar farm near Cirencester earlier this month affected containers containing them.
It is thought at least three similar fires have occurred recently at similar Battery Energy Storage Sites across the country in recent months and one in the world's largest facility in California in January forced a mass evacuation of residents in the immediate area.
Speaking in parliament, he said: "I’m really concerned about the safety of proposed Battery Energy Storage Sites following a string of fires in recent months.
"It is so important that local people’s voices are heard when it comes to building on our greenbelt, and I know my constituents are understandably worried when these sites are constructed near their homes.
"Unfortunately, this government's proposed reforms to the planning system will make it even easier for developers, some of which have never even set foot in South Staffordshire before, to build these sites in our back garden."
Planning applications for at least seven Battery Energy Storage Sites have been submitted for approval across Mr Wood’s constituency at sites in Lower Penn, Swindon and Wombourne.
