Huge Battery Farm next door

A planning application that affects us all was quietly waved through last night at Planning Committee and none of us were consulted.

A battery farm the size of 4 football pitches has been approved for land just under the railway bridge.

The council’s planning officer claims she went beyond the minimum notification requirements. A site notice was posted - but given Lower Dunton Road’s lack of pavements and safe stopping points, it’s unlikely many residents ever saw it. She also placed a notice in the Yellow Advertiser, a digital-only publication that few locals even recognise. Crucially, our community - comprising over 180 homes and the nearest residential development to the proposed site - received no direct notification whatsoever.

Serious concerns were raised about fire risks, but they were largely brushed aside. This comes under a Prime Minister who’s given the thumbs up to building on green belt land - so it’s no surprise that local voices are being side-lined.

I’ve submitted a formal complaint about the handling of this application and have sent copies to the planning officer, the senior governance officer at Basildon Council, and our local MP, Richard Holden.

To: Emma Perry, Senior Governance Officer, Basildon Council [email protected]

Cc
Katie Ellis, Planning Officer, Basildon Council [email protected]

Subject: Formal Complaint – Planning Application No. 24/01239/FULL Re: Proposed 368MW Battery Storage Facility (BESS) – Land at Lower Dunton Road, Langdon Hills

Dear Ms Perry,

I am writing to lodge a formal complaint regarding the approval of Planning Application No. 24/01239/FULL at the Planning Committee meeting held on 6 August 2025. I have serious concerns about the integrity of the consultation process and the accuracy of information presented by planning officers during the meeting, which may have materially influenced the Committee’s decision.

1. Failure to Properly Notify Nearest Residents
Ms Ellis correctly stated that the nearest residential development is Dunton Park, located approximately 190 metres from the proposed site. However, none of the 184 homes within Dunton Park were consulted, nor was the Dunton Park Residents Association - of which I am Secretary - formally notified. This omission appears to breach the requirements of the Town and Country Planning Act regarding notification of nearby residential properties. Ms Ellis stated that 17 homes were notified, yet these were not the closest to the development.

2. Safety, Noise, and Flood Risk Concerns
This lack of consultation is particularly troubling given the serious concerns raised by statutory consultees regarding flood risk, night-time noise emissions from the battery facility, and the potential fire hazards associated with BESS installations. The proximity of this facility to a densely populated mobile home park predominantly housing older residents - warrants far greater scrutiny and engagement than was afforded by the committee.

3. Misrepresentation of Community Bodies
Ms Ellis also mischaracterised the Dunton Community Association as the representative body for “the caravan site" as she called it. This is factually incorrect. The Dunton Park Residents Association is the recognised representative body for the mobile home park. The Dunton Community Association represents residents of the brick-and-mortar homes in Dunton Village. The misrepresentation undermines the whole process and further highlights the lack of proper engagement with affected communities.

This process has been poorly handled, and it appears that Basildon Council has disregarded its duty to ensure meaningful consultation with those most directly impacted. Regardless of the merits or drawbacks of the application itself, the procedural failings are significant and must be addressed.

I request that this matter be dealt with under the Council’s formal complaints procedure.

Yours sincerely,

James
Secretary, Dunton Park Residents Association