Scottish Government place Caley Thistle battery farm application appeal on hold

THE Scottish Government have put Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s appeal for its application to build a battery energy storage facility on hold as it is asking for missing documents and clarification over issues.

The appeal from the football club to build a battery energy storage facility at Fairways is being considered by the Scottish Government after it was rejected by Highland Council in March.

But the Scottish Government have confirmed it has placed the appeal on hold as it is looking for further information.

The Scottish Government is asking for the applicant to provide the original application form as it currently does not have a copy.

It is also asking for clarification on who the applicant is stating that “the applicant appears to be ‘Intelligent Land Investments Group Plc’ but the appellant on the appeal form is named as ‘ICT Battery Storage Ltd’.”

Earlier this year, Intelligent Land Investments acted on behalf of ICT Battery Storage Ltd on the application to build 52 battery storage containers on a 1.7 hectare site behind Fairways Business Centre.

The development was worth an estimated £3.4 million if it received approval.

The proposal, which was recommended for refusal by planners, received approval to go ahead by the South Planning Applications Committee by three votes to two in February.

However, the application was recalled six days later after receiving approval, to go before a full Highland Council meeting.South Planning Applications Committee chairman Thomas MacLennan and vice-chairman Paul Oldham emailed members, argued not enough councillors took part in the South Planning Applications Committee vote.

At a full Highland Council meeting held in March, councillors voted to reject the application by 30 votes to 23, with three abstaining.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have appealed the decision with the Scottish Government.

The club have been approached for comment.

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