Neo Environmental were involved in various stages of the 49.9MW Mannington Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) from initial constraint analysis and site suitability assessment to planning and condition compliance.

The Energy Storage Facility is located in Greenbelt in Dorset and our planning team successfully argued a case for Very Special Circumstances (VSC) for the project. The VSC report concluded that the overall strategic performance and function of the remaining Green Belt would prevail, with the benefits of the Proposed Development considerably outweighing the minor adverse impacts identified.

Our team undertook and compiled various planning and environmental assessments and reports including ecology, landscape, archaeology & heritage, noise, arboriculture, traffic and transportation and hydrology (flood risk & drainage). As part of their fieldwork, our ecologists conducted bat surveys surveys in support of the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and also conducted a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA).

East Dorset Council provided an excellent service given the current circumstances relating to COVID-19; the planning application was consented with no pre-commencement conditions attached. We look forward to seeing the completed development in due course.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the 3 phases of the Proposed Development which included, feasibility studies, planning and the full suite of environmental and technical assessments. This include two separate solar applications of circa 50MW (original site and extension) and the 100MW battery storage project, all of which were consented. The team co-ordinated and undertook the pre-application meetings with the council, site visits and also co-ordinated and undertook all of the planning and environmental works as well as the design (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was part of a portfolio of projects that Neo received consent for (100% successful consent rate), including three 100MW battery storage projects.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the 3 phases of the Proposed Development which included, feasibility studies, planning and the full suite of environmental and technical assessments. This include two separate solar applications of circa 50MW (original site and extension) and the 100MW battery storage project, all of which were consented. The team co-ordinated and undertook the pre-application meetings with the council, site visits and also co-ordinated and undertook all of the planning and environmental works as well as the design (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was part of a portfolio of projects that Neo received consent for (100% successful consent rate), including three 100MW battery storage projects.

Neo Environmental are delighted to have started 2022 with an approval via a delegated decision for a 100MW co-located solar and battery storage project near Hull for its client Albanwise. Neo Environmental done all of the planning, public consultation and environmental work for this large project, including the design, ecology, archaeology (including a geophysical survey), noise, traffic and transport, landscape and visual, hydrology, glint and glare and land classification assessment. The project consists of approximately 100 thousand solar panels and 24 battery storage containers on a circa 90 ha site.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the various stages of a Proposed 155MW solar and battery storage Development near Athenry in Co. Galway. This included the initial feasibility studies and full planning for the project (105MW solar and 50MW battery). We undertook all elements including the pre-application process with the council, site visits, planning and environmental works (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was one of a number of sites for this client who we still work with on various projects across the UK and Ireland (100% successful consent rate). The project was consented in 2021. Neo Environmental also conducted the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) elements for the project.

Neo Environmental were commissioned to undertake a number of reports for a large mixed use development in Melrose, Scotland. The project involves an upgrade to the Newtown St Boswells’ auction mart, as well as the creation of retail facilities, a hotel, up to 150 houses and a new campus for Borders College As part of the project Neo Environmental helped produce the EIA Screening report before completing various environmental assessments including ecology, archaeology, landscape and visual and noise. The site was located directly adjacent a number of ecological designations including two Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Therefore a significant level of ecological assessment and consultation was required as part of the project. The Development was consented in March 2021.

Neo Environmental were involved in various stages of the 100MW Gorman Energy Storage Facility (ESF) from initial constraint analysis and site suitability assessment to planning and condition compliance. Our planning and environmental team had to manage a number of constraints including flood risk, archaeology, visual impacts and access and transport in order to achieve consent for one of the largest battery storage projects in Ireland.

As part of the planning work Neo environmental initially worked with the client Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to design an appropriate scheme whish is well screened, with very limited impacts on the environment. The project was then purchased by Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) and Neo Environmental completed two new applications for a re-designed project, to include all grid connection woks such as a new 110kV substation bay components.

A Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) screening application was also submitted on behalf of Scottish Power Renewables to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) for the grid and substation works. The various planning applications were all consented within the statutory timeframes and Neo Environmental also discharged all of the planning conditions. At the time of writing the battery storage project is under construction with Neo Environmental providing Ecological Clerks of Works (ECow) and Archaeology Clerks of Works (ACoW). During the archaeology works our team of archaeologists uncovered a number of interesting prehistoric and medieval features and finds including pottery, flint tools, post-holes, pits and burnt spreads. We look forward to seeing the completed development in due course.