Five acres of East Lancashire woodland have been earmarked for a new battery farm.

Root-Power (North) want to build the complex near Oswaldtwistle.

The firm based in Salford has applied to Hyndburn Council for planning permission for the proposed construction of a 60-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land at Knuzden Moss Farm, off Stanhill Road.

The site lies within a parcel of woodland.

Beyond the woodland to the west lies the M65, to the south the course of the Lottice Brook, and to the north and east lie agricultural fields.

The project will connect to the adjacent National Grid substation.

Supporting documents submitted with the application say: "The proposed development comprises of a 60MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to provide energy balancing services to the National Grid.

Drawings of how the facility would lookDrawings of how the facility would look

"This type of facility operates by taking electricity from the grid at times of low demand, storing it in batteries, and releasing it back to the grid when demand is high.

"Energy storage facilities therefore improve the efficiency of existing energy production facilities, notably from renewables where production is intermittent and based on external conditions.

"BESS plants also provide key stability services to the grid network.

"The UK government estimates technologies like battery storage systems – supporting the integration of more low-carbon power, heat and transport technologies – could save the UK energy system up to £40 billion by 2050, ultimately reducing people’s energy bills.

"The proposed development would comprise of the following equipment housed within a 2.4-metre high V-mesh fenced compound of 14 battery clusters, seven BESS transformers, one site welfare and LV switchroom placed on paving slabs at the corners, one 33kV BESS switchroom on raised pillars, two 132kV substation switchrooms, one 33kV/415V site supply transformer, two 132kV substations within a compound, two car parking spaces, two water tanks and one fire hydrant.

"The compound will have two rows of battery clusters and transformers accessed by two internal access tracks with two gates from the access road to the site.

"There is one switchroom at the end of a battery cluster row.

"The substation compound lies to the south of the rows of battery clusters whilst the remainder of the site contains a sustainable drainage pond and landscaping.

"Access to the site will be taken via an existing access point off Stanhill Road and will be upgraded.

"Remaining spacing outside the fence line is to be utilised for new woodland, hedgerow and tree planting as well as traditional hay meadow seed mix."