PLANS to store renewable power next to a garden centre near Hillend have been approved despite warnings it is a "potential disaster waiting to happen".

A 42 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system, off the B916 Clockluine Road, got the green light from Fife Council last week.

Four objections, including one from Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council, were specifically concerned about site safety and said nearby residents and the environment would be "at risk of serious harm".

A summary of their fears, in a report to the west and central planning committee, questioned the use of "explosive" lithium batteries and that "carcinogenic gases" could be released if it all goes wrong.

READ MORE: Renewable energy plans for Hillend

They added: "There have also been 50 fires worldwide since 2018.

"The toxic run-off can also contaminate adjacent watercourses and a vapour cloud could be blown towards Hillend."

Concerns also included noise, air pollution, visual impact, flooding, the effect on wildlife, contaminated land and light pollution.

Dunfermline Press: The battery energy storage system will be built next to Growforth's site, at the bottom of the picture. Hillend and the east coast railway line can also be seen.The battery energy storage system will be built next to Growforth's site, at the bottom of the picture. Hillend and the east coast railway line can also be seen. (Image: Fife Council)

In response, agents for Renewable Connections Developments Ltd, of London, said each battery module would have fire detection and prevention equipment.

They added: "An in-built battery management system will monitor battery temperature and will shut down the battery immediately if overheating is detected to avoid any risk of fire and, as a failsafe, an inert gas system will also be installed to immediately extinguish any fire as soon as a trigger signal is detected."

Councillors approved the application with the battery energy storage system to be built to the north of Hillend and the east coast railway line, next to Growforth Ltd's plant nursery.

It will share the access road from Clockluine Road and enable renewable energy from solar farms and wind turbines to be stored and then released when customers need power most.

A previous plan for a gas power station on the site was refused by the council in April 2019 and again in January 2020.

Planning officer Scott Simpson told the committee: "It will be able to store and release power for tens of thousands of homes over a two hour period and displace up to 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year of operation."

There will be 460 battery units on site as well as a substation, switchroom, storage containers, three-metre high fencing and CCTV.

The London firm previously explained that battery storage "has a key role to play in ensuring homes and businesses can be powered by renewable energy sources, even when the sun isn’t shining or when the wind isn’t blowing".

The committee was told the site, formerly used as a storage area by Growforth, is in a flood risk zone but, as it is considered "essential infrastructure", neither SEPAnor the council had any objections.

Mr Simpson said that, to try and keep it above any surface water, the substation will sit on top of 600mm plinths.

Permission was also granted for an underground cable to run north, across Keithing Burn, and then west to connect into the Inverkeithing Grid Supply point, which is around 800 metres away.