Frome residents are calling for plans for a new battery energy storage site to be scrapped due to concerns about fire risk to the neighbouring properties.

Battery energy storage sites use batteries to store electricity generated at times of low demand, with the operators selling the energy back to the National Grid at peak times.

Trina Solar UK HoldCo Ltd. has applied to build such a facility on land north of Styles Close in Frome, next to an existing substation.

But local residents have called for the plans to be withdrawn, claiming that the fire risk from such a "hazardous" facility would put those living in the neighbouring properties in jeopardy.

The planned facility would be accessed off Styles Close, with a direct connection to the substation and new wetlands being created at the northern edge (near the Rodden Lake Stream) to mitigate the impact of construction.

The facility will have a capacity of around 30 MW, around the same as the Fideoak facility in Taunton which was created by South Somerset District Council as part of its commercial investments strategy (with the asset being held by Somerset Council.

A spokesman for SLR Consulting (representing the applicant) said: "As the country transitions to a low-carbon economy and strives towards a decarbonised electricity network by 2035, as part of its wider net zero ambitions, older carbon-intensive technologies are increasingly being replaced by intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar farms.

"This shift towards renewable and low carbon energy is positive yet brings with it challenges in balancing the UK electricity network.

"One of the ever‐present challenges of deploying renewable energy necessary to achieve decarbonisation of the grid is that peak periods of generation often do not coincide with peak periods of demand.

"Energy storage is the answer to this issue by storing excess renewable energy for future consumption by the local electricity network."

Dozens of Frome residents have already objected to the plans on Somerset Council's planning portal, with locals claiming that any fire at the facility could quickly spread to their homes.

Holly Lawton, who lives near the site, said:" I am appalled at this proposal. I am in no way at all opposed to storage needed for renewable energies; however, the proximity to houses for this plant is extremely dangerous.

"After researching these battery plants, there have been other proposals that have been stopped because of the proximity to houses.

"The fire risk is so high and with only 50 meters to the nearest house, I can't understand why this application has even been considered. The recommended distance from the nearest house by the Strategic Land Group is at least 100 metres.

"The site access will be via Styles Close which is a quiet cul-de-sac where children ride their bikes and where many retired people live.

"This site poses a serious fire risk of hazardous and flammable materials. I urge you to consider the dangers that this site can pose to the local community and to our families living in this quiet neighbourhood."

Battery energy storage sites are currently not regulated in planning law – though Basingstoke MP Dame Maria Miller is attempting to amend the government's Energy Bill to ensure local fire services, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are consulted from the outset on any plans.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service raised concerns about the proximity of homes following a fire at a battery storage site on Carnegie Road in Liverpool in 2020 – with similar concerns also being raised by fire services in Leeds, Norfolk and West Yorkshire.

Wendy Miller-Williams, who lives near the site, said: "The Norfolk fire chief states she is suffering sleepless nights over the applications in their area.

"How can we, as residents, feel at ease with a site that is just 50 metres from our houses?"

Linda Pullin added: "This quiet residential area already has a large substation, several large pylons and power cables and the noise impact from an increasing busy bypass [the A361].

"In the likelihood of lithium batteries exploding or catching fire, this would release toxic substances into the air and water which, from this site, could

contaminate the River Frome and its tributaries."

Frome Town Council's planning committee will meet on Tuesday (July 25) at 6:30pm to debate the proposals and make its recommendation. Somerset Council will make a final decision on the plans by the end of the year.