Harrogate and Knaresborough MP doubles down on Amendment for Improved Battery Farm Safety

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has again put forward an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, calling for fire authorities to be made statutory consultants for Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) planning applications.

In North Yorkshire, the fire service is already a statutory consultee for BESS applications. However, for most of the country, this is not the case.

Tom had previously put forward a similar amendment at the Committee Stage of the bill. Tom had put forward this amendment in response to concerns from constituents in Scotton, over an application for a BESS site – however, this amendment was ultimately not considered.

Tom has re-submitted this vital amendment, to ensure all areas of the country have the proper safeguards in place to implement BESS sites, and mitigate potential accidents relating to them.

Commenting, Tom said:

“Whilst I was disappointed that my initial amendment was not picked up by the Government, I am happy to be bringing it back to the forefront of Parliament once again.”

“As we strive towards Net Zero, applications for BESS sites become more and more common. As we embrace these new energy solutions, we need to ensure that we do so in a safe and regulated manner. The lithium present in these BESS sites, if damaged or not properly maintained, can lead to highly complex and dangerous fire explosions.”

“We must ensure that we have the proper safeguards in place to mitigate potential outbreaks of fire – such as the BESS fire in Liverpool in 2020, or the outbreak of a small fire at a BESS construction site in Essex earlier this year."

“I urge the Government, for the safety of local communities like that of Scotton, to do the right thing and ensure this amendment is implemented into the Planning and Infrastructure Bill”.

ENDS.

More information can be found about Tom’s amendment, NC66, here.