A PROPOSED electricity storage complex on open farmland could threaten a flagship housing development with hundreds of new homes planners have warned.

National company 24 Power Limited want to build the bank of 42 batteries on 2.5acres near the site of the former Huncoat Power Station.

The firm says the development in Burnley borough will help 'decarbonise, modernise and reinforce the existing electricity grid' and boost energy security.

But neighbouring Hyndburn Council has strongly objected to the scheme warning it could threaten its proposals to develop more than 1,500 new homes in the £100million Huncoat Garden Village.

The application for planning permission by 24 Power Ltd is for land west of the A56 and southwest of Junction 8 of the M65.

It proposes an energy facility compound including energy storage units, associated transformers and electrical equipment cabinets, an electrical control building and landscaping.

A supporting statement says: "We are seeking consent to construct and operate a 45 megawatt (MW) energy storage facility on farmland immediately to the east of the site of the former Huncoat Power Station.

"A substation on the site of the former Huncoat power station a short distance to the west provides the required point of connection into the electricity distribution network. The proximity of this is the key factor in the identification of the site.

"Energy storage facilities import electrical power during periods of oversupply from renewable generators, power which would otherwise be wasted.

"This power is subsequently exported back to the grid during periods of low renewable generation offsetting the use of gas helping to decarbonise the UK electricity grid.

"This energy transition not only alleviates concerns over security of energy supply it will deliver cheaper power to consumers.

"The site is located in the Green Belt and its location has been dictated by the availability of a point of connection at the nearby substation.

"The proposed development should be considered to demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’ as it represents a new technology in relation to electrical infrastructure for which there is an urgent demand.

"The maximum predicted operational life of the project is 50 years."

Adam Birkett, Hyndburn Council's principal planning officer, has written to his Burnley Council counterparts, telling them his authority 'wishes to strongly object to the proposal on the basis that

insufficient information has been provided to satisfy the council that the proposal would not prejudice the development of Huncoat Garden Village'.

His letter says: "Key to the emerging spatial development strategy for Hyndburn is Huncoat Garden Village which will deliver around 1,500-1,600 new homes, a village centre and associated infrastructure.

"Huncoat Garden Village is of significance not just to Hyndburn but also to the wider Pennine Lancashire sub-region.

"It is considered that the proposed development could prejudice the development of Huncoat Garden Village.

"This is a large-scale development that would be more appropriately located within an existing industrial area."