AMBITIOUS plans for an electricity storage facility near Wilsden’s electricity substation have been withdrawn.

UK Battery Storage Ltd had applied for planning permission to create giant batteries inside 50 shipping containers off Old Allen Road.

But the proposal for the energy storage compound at Harrop Edge Farm, which was branded a potential eyesore by Wilsden Parish Council, was withdrawn last month.

In its application, West-Yorkshire-based UK Battery Storage had said the facility would be temporary, returning to agricultural land following its 20-year operating period.

There would be up to 50 battery storage units housed within steel containers, in a project creating the equivalent of two full-time jobs.

The company said: “It is envisaged that the battery units would be based on 40ft steel sea containers. These can be housed within agricultural sheds if this is required.

“The site would be screened with bunding and native tree planting which would have the added effect of further screening the existing substation as viewed from the south.”

UK Battery Storage Ltd said it wanted to develop a range of energy storage facilities complement’s existing portfolio of renewable energy projects.

It said the Wilsden facility would support the UK government’s aspirations to modernise the existing electricity grid and safeguard the country’s supply.

One of the first facilities of its type in the country, it would provide “rapid-response” electrical back-up for the National Grid. Similar equipment was operating successfully in the US and across the world.

UK Battery Storage Ltd said the changing nature of electricity generation in the UK – including wind and solar power – meant there was a need to ensure enough energy was available at all times to meet demand.

The company added: “In 10 years energy storage is expected to be commonplace and form an integral part of the National Grid’s ability to maintain electricity supply within the UK.”

In their objections lodged with Bradford Council, Wilsden councillors said the application was inappropriate in the greenbelt.

They said: “Extending the visual influence of the substation to the east would create a new and unacceptable visual intrusion into the green belt.

“Should any further energy storage schemes of a similar nature come forward we would propose that these are sited within the current compound of the Harrop

Lane substation unless there is clear technical evidence as to why this cannot be achieved.”

Bradford Council’s environmental department expressed concerns about potential noise nuisance for local residents from cooling systems and an emergency generator.