Peaking Power Plant

In November 2020, planning was successfully attained by NUKO Planning, giving permission to develop a former waste site into a peaking power station in Halton.

 

Peaking power is an essential element of the UK’s renewable energy strategy. The facilities can respond quickly to peaks in electricity demand in a way that renewable sources currently cannot.

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Challenges

The application site presented a number of challenges in terms of ecology and openspaxce planning policy designation.  Working closely with Avian Ecology, NUKO Planning was able to demonstrate sufficient mitigation and wider on-site ecological improvements to justify the development on the protected site.

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In terms of open space policy, the site’s poor accessibility and its limited alignment with the ambitions of Halton’s open space policy were articulated to the LPA.  

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On balance, the LPA agreed with NUKO Planning that the value of a peaking power station in this location outweighed any potential harm caused, and recommended the application for approval.  

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Outcome

The scheme was heard at Halton’s Planning Committee, and given unanimous approval on 1st November 2020, subject to a condition limiting the hours of operation.