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RESOLVED
 

i)     
To agree that officers maintain and publish, on the Horsham
District Council website, a list showing the location of new
operational BESS sites in the district along with sites where
planning permission has been granted (effective from a date to be
determined by the Head of Development and Building
Control);
 

ii)    
To agree that officers ensure consistent labelling of BESS
applications on the planning portal and provide better details of
how to search for such sites on the Horsham District Council
website;  
 

iii)  
To consider the inclusion of Appendix A ‘Information to be
provided for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Planning
Applications’ be considered for inclusion in the Local
Validation List when this is next reviewed; and
 

iv)  
To agree that Appendix A be kept under review to ensure
requirements remain up to date and continue to reflect good
practice.
 
 
REASONS
 

i)     
To update the Communities and Place Policy and Scrutiny
Committee.
 

ii)    
To ensure that Ward Members, local
residents and other interested parties have access to
relevant information to allow them to respond effectively to
planning applications in their local area.
 

iii)  
To provide clarity for all parties involved in planning
applications for BESS sites confirming what information should be
submitted at the pre-application stage. This will support BESS
developers to deliver installations of a high standard ensuring the
safety of those who live and work locally.
 

iv)  
To ensure documents requested as part of Appendix A remain
relevant, proportionate, and reflect good practice, noting that
regulatory standards are developed and updated as best practice and
technology develops.
 

v)   
To ensure that the process discussed with WSFRS is effective and
BESS developers provide up to date fire safety strategy documents
prior to the commencement of the development.  
 

vi)  
To ensure fire safety information is available for reference
in regard to new planning applications
that are proposed to be situated nearby to existing BESS
installations.
 
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS
IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT
 
The group discussed fire strategy documents,
and the process for Qualitative Design Reviews, as defined by BS
7974. Whilst it was the experience of some Members that these
documents could demonstrate that fire safety issues had been
considered fully, it was felt that it was beyond the scope of the
Task and Finish Group to set down specific technical guidance for
BESS sites.  
Members considered whether conditions should
be added to planning requirements that BESS installations were
fitted with equipment which complied with UL 9540 or NFPA 855.
However, it was acknowledged that regulatory conditions were
revised regularly and setting such specifications would commit
Horsham District Council to frequent revision of the guidance to
maintain its effectiveness.  
 
Members considered whether the list of BESS
sites, in the possession of WSFRS, would be sufficient for the
purposes of the Task and Finish Group. However, it was confirmed
that whilst WSFRS did have details of sites in their fire tenders
they did not hold a central database of sites.
 
Members considered whether the list of BESS
sites collated by officers should include all BESS sites which
exist currently in the Horsham District. It was noted that current
labelling of sites was inconsistent which could risk some not being
identified for inclusion in the list. This could result in
potential legal challenge should planning applications be
considered near a BESS site not on the list. Following consultation
with the Head of Development and Building Control it was considered
that BESS sites should be consistently labelled on the planning
portal, and a list of new BESS sites, should be established. This
should start from a date following approval of the above
recommendations to be determined by the Head of Development and
Building control.