Inspector backs 200MW battery project despite Green Belt objections

A planning inspector has overturned Bexley Council’s decision to reject a proposed 200MW battery storage project in Sidcup. 

The project, which was proposed by Net Zero Thirty Two Limited, is earmarked to be built at Manor Farm in Sidcup. The problem with that site in particular is that it has been designated as Green Belt land – leading the council to ultimately turn down the project. 

Despite the site being on the Green Belt, the planning inspector has ultimately decided the benefits of the development would outweigh any potential negatives. In fact, the inspector even noted that the project would harm the Green Belt, surrounding landscape and agricultural land, but has decided to approve the appeal anyway. 

The inspector made the decision as he believed that the contribution of battery storage to energy security and grid flexibility, alongside biodiversity improvements and economic benefits, were sufficient enough to establish the ‘very special circumstances’ needed to permit development in the Green Belt. 

That’s good news for the developer, who has already secured a grid connection with UK Power Networks, which will include approximately 1.45km of underground cabling to Hurst Grid Substation, alongside battery containers, transformers, inverters, switchgear and a control building.

That grid connection also helped the project’s case, as the inspector considered alternative locations for the battery storage facility near Hurst Grid Substation but found that there wasn’t another suitable location that would fall outside the Green Belt. 

With that decision, Net Zero Thirty Two is now able to proceed with the development of the project. In its initial planning application back in 2025, it noted that construction would take around 12 months once the necessary approvals were in place. Whether that timeline holds true today remains to be seen, but at least it’s one more obstacle out of the way.