Advice to Ecotricity (Heck Fen Solar) Limited
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- From
- Ecotricity (Heck Fen Solar) Limited
- Date advice given
- 12 January 2023
- Enquiry type
Response to questions raised
Advice given
Please find below my response to the two questions you raised at the meeting. - Draft document feedback on the ES chapter We discussed where you might record any changes made after our feedback on the draft ES chapter. There is no statutory requirement for you to demonstrate how you responded to our feedback on the draft documents and it is for you to decide how you might want to reflect this. The NSIPs where we have provided feedback on draft documents have not referred to it in the final documents submitted for acceptance, or haven’t gone into any detail about what the advice was on the draft document or how it had been addressed. Unlike the scoping stage we do not recommend Applicants include a table to demonstrate how they have responded. Outline Risk Management / Outline Safety Management Plan Following our discussion I looked at what other solar projects that we are currently involved with as NSIPs are proposing, and the following information may be of help with respect to how these Applicants have addressed fire risks and water requirements in consultation with the Fire and Rescue Authorities: Mallard Pass Solar Project Consultation report LDA Report Template (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)‘ A Battery Safety Management Plan is not required as battery storage is not being considered in the final design of the Proposed Development. Health and Safety onsite would be managed by the contractor during construction and decommissioning to mitigate the risk of fire in line with legislative safety requirements such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the CDM Regulations 2015. The oCEMP includes measures that prohibit the burning of waste material onsite. The Proposed Development therefore is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment due to the risk of a major accident occurring as a result of fire during construction and decommissioning’.‘The operational phase of the Proposed Development would involve routine maintenance and servicing of equipment to ensure the safe operation of equipment. Fire equipment and notices will also be provided onsite for the availability of personnel and would be regularly inspected and serviced in accordance with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The oOEMP sets out details on the measures incorporated into the design to minimise any fire risks. No significant effects are anticipated following implementation of mitigation measures. For more information, please see Chapter 15: Other Environmental Topics, of the ES, [EN010127/APP/6.1] (Wildfires).’ Little Crow Solar Park Consultation Report EN010101-000207-Document Ref 4.1 LC REP CONSULTATION REP.pdf (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)Humberside Fire & Rescue: ‘It is required to provide adequate access for firefighting. The route and hardstanding should be constructed to provide a minimum carrying capacity of 24 tonnes. Adequate provision of water supplies for firefighting appropriate to the proposed risk should be considered’. Applicant: ‘The existing access provision will be upgraded. Passing bays will also be introduced along the access track and would be appropriate to accommodate HGV and fire fighting vehicles alike. A localised water mains runs within the order limits, running parallel with the access track, and provides provision of water supplies should it be necessary’. ES Appendix 4.7 Online Safety Battery Management PlanEN010101-000245-Document Ref 7.14 LC TA4.7 Outline Battery Safety Management Plan.pdf (planninginspectorate.gov.uk) Sunnica Energy Farm Volume 7 7.6 Outline Battery Fire Safety Management Plan SEF_7.6_Outline Battery Fire Safety Management Plan (planninginspectorate.gov.uk) See in particular Table 3: Statutory Consultation Requirements, and Table 12: Proposed List of Risk Mitigation Methods (RMM 17, RMM 18 and RMM 19). In particular, RMM19 may be of interest due to the remote location of the BESS compounds and limited availability and supply of water which proposes use of water tanks. Longfield Solar Farm EN010118-000874-DL3 - ECFRS Initial Consultation Response Longfield Solar Farm.pdf (planninginspectorate.gov.uk) Statement of Common Ground with Essex Fire & Rescue Service Report Longfield Solar Farm 2020-09-30 (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)7.6 Outline Battery Safety Management Plan (BSMP) (planninginspectorate.gov.uk) Consultation Report EN010118-000632-The Applicant - Consultation Report - Updated version.pdf (planninginspectorate.gov.uk) Table 3-13: Key topics raised by consultees during the non-statutory consultation and the Applicant’s response may be of interest.