PLANS for the installation of three battery storage units on the former Butchersfield landfill site off Manchester Road, Rixton, have been approved by Warrington planning chiefs.
They will replace a landfill gas-powered engine and an oil-generating engine, on the site.
Biffa Waste Services applied for the changes as a result of a decline in volumes of landfill gas generated on the site – a normal occurrence.
This means that the infrastructure can no longer be used to its full capacity, ultimately resulting in the removal of engines on a phased basis.
However, there will be an on-going need to manage landfill gas at the site, perhaps for decades to come.
Biffa says battery storage technology has advanced significantly in recent years and is expected to play a key role in the UK’s energy system ensuring the provision of a constant supply of electricity and levelling out peaks and troughs. Batteries can export electricity to meet demand when renewable sources such as wind and solar are under producing.
The existing landfill-gas powered engine will eventually be removed and replace with a battery. It’s container will be of a similar size and colour to the current installations. Less noise will be created and there will no increase in traffic to the site.
Although the proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt, it has been shown that there are very special circumstances which outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.
Due to the distances involved, the proposals are not considered to affect the amenities of any neighbouring properties.
No objections were received from nearby residents.
