HOW To object

HOW TO OBJECT

An application for a 400Mw BESS made by Statera Ltd

They are proposing to put this quasi – industrial development in fields between Chickerell and Southill

There are three ways:

1. Write to the case officer within the Local Planning Authority (old fashioned snail mail)

2. Email the case officer

3. Use the councils planning portal

Which ever method you employ

 Make sure you do it before the end of the consultation period (by 29th September)

 Make sure you quote the application reference number: P/FUL/2023/04657

The name and address of the case officer is:

Mr. M. Pochin-Hawkes

Lead Project Officer

Economic Growth and Infrastructure

Dorset Council

County Hall

Colliton Park

Dorchester

Dorset DT1 1XJ

His email address is:

Matthew.Pochin-Hawkes@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

The Council’s Planning Portal can be found at:

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning/planning-application-search-and-comment

The Planning Portal also details what the council normally consider acceptable objections when

determining a planning application - they’re material considerations and can include:

 Overlooking/loss of privacy

 Impact on neighbouring amenity

 Loss of light or overshadowing

 Design (bulk and massing, appearance and materials)

 Layout and density of building

 Highway safety

 Traffic generation

 Parking (vehicle and cycle)

 Effect on the character of the area

 Effect on listed building and conservation area

 Disability access

 Emergency access

 Ecology / Biodiversity

This isn’t and exhaustive list and you can of course, object on whatever grounds you wish but material considerations are the ones that matter. They are often linked to policies within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) or the Local Plan which in this case is West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan 2015-2031. There’s also the Chickerell Neighbourhood Plan.

You may wish to object because you feel that a Battery Electricity Storage System (BESS) brings with it an unacceptable risk to resident’s safety and well-being and you don’t think one should be so close to houses.

That doesn’t appear on the list of normal material considerations not does it seem to have any mention in the above plans. However it is so fundamental that they local planning authority must give it due consideration.

The local planning authority does not attach much weight to petitions nor to the following objections:

 a loss of private view

 the effect on the value of properties

 a breach of restrictive covenant/s and personal property rights

 unfair competition

 the level of profit a developer might make

 developers motives, record or reputation

 speculation over future use

 personal circumstances of the applicant (in most cases)

Although it is not a path to raising an objection you may also wish to contact or speak to your local

councillor – after all you elected them to represent you. To find out who your councillor is go to

https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx and enter your postal code.