The following is a statement on behalf of the Parish Council
The Knighton On Teme Parish Council would like to wish all its parishioners a very happy New Year.
It’s the right time to update those interested in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) planning application and inform you where things stand at this current time.
The whole council has been busy preparing itself to respond to the planning consultation and we deem ourselves very fortunate to have been included in these consultations. This is down to the efforts of the Parish Council in abiding with and trying to maintain a code of conduct that has enabled our participation.
Prior to the full planning application, the Parish Council cannot and is legally unable to make any comment, judgement, recommendation or representation. It is only at planning stage where the Parish Council can actively become involved in planning and replying to the consultation request issued by Malvern Hills Planning Department.
As you are aware on 10th December the planning application went live for the BESS. The Parish Council immediately requested an extension from MHDC, also emailing the applicant Integrum Energy of the extension necessity with request to arrange at least two meetings as it was clear the deadline would not allow for the extensive research, questioning and decision making needed on this sensitive complex matter.
Integrum Energy acknowledged on 12th December stating they had no objection to the extension and would respond with dates when the extension had been granted.
Since then the Clerk has sent 3 emails per week followed up by numerous phone calls to try and follow up the emails. To date Integrum have not responded however, this could be due to extended holiday periods by staff.
The Clerk has also repeatedly contacted Malvern Hills District Council requesting their assistance in organising a meeting with Integrum to add weight to the necessity and importance.
As yet we have no dates for any meeting, neither have we received any communication from Integrum which has proved increasingly frustrating when we are desperate to organise meetings for their attendance. Therefore, at the moment we do not have opportunity to ask the many questions Councillors and members of the public have. These questions should be ones that cannot be answered by the Parish Council and that are not answerable within the planning application.
The BESS is on the agenda for next week’s meeting albeit there may be little update in view of the lack of contact. This obviously does not sit well with the Council and does not hold Integrum Energy in good light without good reason as to why they haven’t complied or replied to these calls and emails.
However, in view of these circumstances the Chair has instructed the Clerk to request a further extension to the consultation deadline from MHDC as the looming deadline of 3rd February is clearly not enough time seeing as though nothing has been forthcoming in the three weeks plus from the start the consultation period. This request has been submitted and you will be informed when we get a response.
This has only been part of the business the Parish Council has been dealing with in relation to the BESS and much time has been spent in preparation for a meeting and the Parish Councils strategy dealing with the many issues that have been developing behind the scenes.
There has been suggestion to postpone the meeting for another time when we may have a more positive reaction from Integrum, however at this time there are other matters that need to be addressed at the meeting so as it stands today it will take place next Thursday 9th January as planned.
D Hubbard
Chair of Knighton on Teme Parish Council