PLANS to build an energy storing facility on green belt land in Feckenham have been deferred amid concerns around HGV access.

Energy firm Statkraft want to build the facility on green belt land south of Astwood Lane to manage energy and store battery technology.

The applicant says the project will support the flexible operation of the National Grid to balance supply and demand and help to decarbonise the electricity supply.

The plan was heard by Redditch Borough Council's planning committee last night, where councillors chose to defer a decision to give the applicant time to provide more information about HGV movements to and from the site.

Speaking after the meeting, councillor Julian Grubb, vice chair of the committee said: "The members of the committee felt investigations needed to be done in terms of the routing of heavy goods vehicles in and out of the site and what options could be explored."

It comes as the application received 21 objections and has also been objected to by Feckenham Parish Council who cited safety, location and design and environmental impact as their concerns.

Councillor Warhurst objected to the scheme on the grounds of road safety, while councillor Michael Rouse said he had concerns although he “welcomed green energy initiatives”.

His objection said: “The roads in this area are also not suitable to withstand this volume of traffic and the types of large delivery vehicles required. From whichever direction the site is approached there is insufficient infrastructure to cope with the additional demand and type of vehicles.”

Statkraft, which is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, say the Feckenham site has been selected due to its proximity to the existing substation which was deemed most suitable after an assessment of all the substations in the region and the needs of the transmission grid in the Midlands.

The development, known as a Greener Grid Park, would store, import, and export electricity but would not generate any additional electricity nor have any direct on-site emissions of CO2.

If passed, it will be operated remotely and proposed access to the site would be from Astwood Lane.