Plans to construct a battery energy storage facility adjacent to a Somerset travellers' site have been rejected due to road safety concerns. Enray Power Ltd submitted an application in April 2025 to build the facility at St George’s Cross Farm on Berkley Lane, situated on the northeastern outskirts of Frome near Commerce Park and the busy A361.
The proposed site is located mere yards from the Pines Residential travellers' site, which recently had its expansion plans turned down by councillors. The council also dismissed the battery storage proposal, emphasizing that safe vehicular access could not be guaranteed, and highlighted that the development would “inconvenience all users of the route.”
This decision follows less than six months after a similar battery storage project on Styles Close, just two miles away, was rejected on appeal.
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Battery energy storage facilities are designed to store excess power drawn from the National Grid during low-demand periods and release it back during peak demand. The planned facility at St George’s Cross Farm would have boasted an operational capacity of 60MW—twice the size of the previously proposed Styles Close facility—and expected to operate for 40 years.
Access to the site would have been via Berkley Lane, with security measures including fencing, CCTV, and a water tank for equipment cooling. However, concerns over the suitability of Berkley Lane as an access route remain central to the council’s decision.
Stephenson Halliday, representing Enray Power, stated, “With the UK government and Somerset Council declaring a climate emergency, meeting emissions reduction targets is more critical than ever. The increase in energy security and the contribution this development would make toward renewable energy integration far outweighs any adverse impacts.”
Yet, Councillor Adam Boyden of Frome North expressed strong opposition, emphasizing the development’s potential to undermine ongoing efforts to curb fly-tipping along Berkley Lane. “The proposal involves removing existing roadblocks and suspending vehicular restrictions during construction. These measures had just been implemented after years of costly work—which has cost the council around £200,000 since 2014—to reduce fly-tipping and environmental harm,” he said. “Such restrictions enjoy significant local support, especially in Berkley Marsh, the closest residential area. It’s disheartening to see all that progress threatened.”
The council’s planning officers rejected the plans through delegated powers, avoiding a full public hearing. Bill Cotton, interim service director for planning, explained, “The submitted information was insufficient to demonstrate a safe and satisfactory means of site access. The narrow, poorly aligned approach roads are unsuitable for the likely traffic. This would lead to loss of amenity and heightened risk and inconvenience for all route users.”
Enray Power has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the decision.