Skip to main content

Written question asked by Mark Pritchard (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 December 2023. It was answered by Lee Rowley (Conservative) on Monday, 18 December 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.


Fire Prevention: Batteries

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the potential fire risks of battery energy storage sites in close proximity to (a) residential and (b) commercial buildings.

Answer

In August of this year the Government updated its Planning Practice Guidance to encourage battery storage developers to engage with Local Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) before submitting a planning application, so that issues of the siting and location of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are dealt with before the application is made.

The guidance also encourages local planning authorities to refer to the guidance on BESS published by the National Fire Chiefs Council for consideration when determining applications and to consult with FRSs before issuing decisions.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6137
Session
2023-24
Related items
Batteries: Storage
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Written questions
House of Commons
Batteries: Storage
Monday, 4 March 2024
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Fire prevention Safety Storage Batteries
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk