PLANS have been approved for a giant new battery storage site to be built in green belt farmland in Basildon.

The proposals submitted by Anglo Renewables for Whites Farm had been refused by Basildon Council.

The firm subsequently challenged the decision with a planning inspector, who has now ruled in their favour.

The plans will see 24 units, similar in appearance to shipping containers, placed on the land to store large batteries.

Anglo Renewables aims to support the country in reaching Net Zero by 2050 through identifying and developing solar sites across the country.

The development will be more than 170,000 square feet and will consist of a control room, transformer and a car park.

It aims to offer network balancing and stabilisation services at times of low demand and high production of current.

The storage unit will be built next to the Barleylands equestrian centre and will be surrounded by football fields and farm buildings in the area.

Initial plans for the development were rejected last year with the council citing it as “inappropriate development” on the green belt.

Councillors ruled the proposal would result in harm to the green belt through encroachment and due to a moderate loss of openness.

However, following an appeal, plans have been given a green light stating that it would only cause “moderate damage” to the green belt.

Site inspector, Grahame Kean said: “Very special circumstances exist here.

“They comprise very significant benefits, including the need for the BESS in terms of climate change, energy security, energy affordability, the availability of a grid connection, together with more limited socio-economic benefits and a significant net biodiversity gain.

“Taken together these benefits carry very considerable weight in favour of the scheme, which would in supporting the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate.

“Overall, the harm to the green belt is clearly outweighed by the benefits of the development.”

Ward councillor for Castledon and Crouch, Stuart Allen said: “We would like to keep development off the green belt but on the other hand it’s some clean energy which we are really supportive of.”