On Sunday 16th November at 11.30am residents demonstrated against the proposal to build a large Battery Energy Storage System in the small rural village of Rampton. Councillor Emma Griffin, Conservative Opposition Leader, and Councillor Simon Richardson, Deputy Conservative Opposition Leader, both from Bassetlaw District Council were in attendance, supporting the villagers’ objection to the ‘green project’ in the area.
Torksey Ferry Road, adjacent to the proposal, was filled with approximately 60 walkers, horse riders and dog walkers, who will all be affected by this project. The controversial proposal is for a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) planned for a 40-acre agricultural field just 330 metres from residential properties. The site, near Torksey Ferry Road, would include a new substation and industrial-scale battery units.
The Trent BESS application goes before Bassetlaw District Council’s Planning Committee on Friday 12th December. A total of 152 public comments were submitted to the planning application, all objecting, alongside strong concerns from Woodbeck and Rampton Parish Council, Highways, the Fire Service, and Rampton Secure Hospital.
Objections have also raised numerous other issues – including noise and light pollution, disruption to public rights of way, and the dangers posed by heavy construction traffic passing the local primary school and travelling along narrow country roads.