West Dunbartonshire’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has urged residents to have their say on proposals to build a battery storage facility on land near Cochno Road in Faifley.
Plans have been brought forward for a 560MW battery storage facility, which would comprise of a number of containerised units sited on 29 hectares of greenbelt land.
An initial pre-application community consultation has been running through July and August on the plans, brought forward by AAH Consultants on behalf of Green Power Consultants Ltd.
Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has been contacted by a number of Faifley residents about the plans and consultation. Concerns have been raised that only a handful of households in the area were notified about the proposed development, which is earmarked for land across the boundary into East Dunbartonshire.
Commenting, Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“I’ve heard from a number of residents who have raised valid concerns about the site of this proposed development.
“Whilst we do need more battery storage facilities to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, it’s important that these plants are in the right locations. I’m unconvinced that building large-scale battery sites on greenbelt land next to residential properties is sensible or necessary.
“There’s a real worry not just about noise disruption, but also the risk of fire posed by these types of battery storage plants.
“At 29 hectares this is a significant development, and it’s concerning that only a handful of Faifley residents were included in the initial consultation.
“I’d urge the developer to extend its consultation to the wider community. It’s vital that the views of residents are fully taken into account.”
Details of the proposal, including a feedback form for residents, are available on the AAH Consultants website: https://aahplanningconsultations.co.uk/battery-drumchapel
