Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Residents in a small East Devon community are urgently raising funds as they prepare to challenge two major battery energy storage proposals at public inquiries, with the first hearing due to begin next week.
Campaigners around the rural hamlet of Hawkchurch are seeking financial support to oppose two large Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) planned near Blackpool Corner and Raymonds Hill. The schemes – Hazelhurst (300MWh, planning reference 24/0096/MFUL) and Newlands (80MW, Ref. 24/2650/MFUL) – are being reconsidered after developers appealed against refusals by East Devon District Council.
Hawkchurch lies close to the West Dorset and Somerset boundaries and its proximity to the Axminster Substation has made the surrounding countryside attractive to developers of energy infrastructure projects.
Battery Energy Storage Systems typically consist of rows of large metal containers housing lithium batteries placed on concrete bases.
The Ha…
