A repeat planning application has been submitted for the development of a battery plant in Eaglesham.
Last May, an application was lodged with East Renfrewshire Council for the construction of a 40MW battery energy storage facility on land at the East Side of Glasgow Road and adjacent to the Belle Craig roundabout.
The proposal was rejected at a meeting of East Renfrewshire Council's Planning Applications Committee on Halloween.
The applicant then proceeded to submit an appeal to the Scottish Government Reporter just before Christmas to try and overturn the council's decision.
The Reporter is currently aiming to make a final decision on whether to approve or reject the appeal by Thursday 13th March.
Despite the expectation that the Reporter will rule on the initial planning submission next month, the developer has progressed a second application to the council now.
Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw opposed the first application and he is urging local residents to submit objections to the second proposal.
People can submit objections through the following webpage - https://ercbuildingstandards.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/buildingstandards/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SQLG65GPIX900.
People can also object to the proposal via e-mail at: [email protected] or by writing to the Head of Place at 2 Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, G46 8NG.
The planning reference number is 2025/0043/TP and it should be included on any objection submissions.
The standard consultation expiry date for lodging objections is Friday 21st February.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
"The land at Glasgow Road is marked as greenbelt on the council's Local Development Plan and the site was not intended to be sacrificed for an unwanted battery energy storage facility.
"Around 250 objections were submitted to the first planning application and this demonstrates there is widespread local opposition to the proposals.
"As the appeal is still to be determined, it is not entirely clear what advantage the developer believes can be gained through submitting a near identical proposal to the council when the Reporter is expected to make a decision on it’s initial planning application next month.
"What does now appear clear though is that the applicant has adopted a relentless and sustained campaign to try and force through the unwanted battery energy storage plans on the greenbelt land.
"As such, it is critical that as a local community in Eaglesham and Waterfoot, we meet them with an equally relentless and sustained effort to protect our greenspace from unacceptable proposals of this nature.
"I urge all local residents to object and to actively encourage their family members and neighbours to do likewise."
