Busy Day Ahead For North Planning Commitee - Huge Battery Storage At Spittal, Caithness

26th November 2025

The North Planning Committee of Highland council will consider a major application of a huge battery storage system at Spitall in Caithness today 26 November 2025.

The application (Ref. 25/00498/S36) concerns the construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 300 MW, together with associated infrastructure.
Highland Council

Proposed works include: a development platform (about 210 m × 180 m), battery containers and associated electrical equipment (modules of 6.1 m × 2.4 m and 3.2 m high), a high-voltage substation compound, a substation building (25.6 m × 21.1 m, 4.9 m high), grid connection into the existing Spittal Substation, security fencing and CCTV, engineering works to create the platform plus landscaping and bunding, a new access road onto the A9, parking and hardstanding areas, Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), and biodiversity-enhancement landscaping.
Highland Council

The site is located at the "SSE, DC Site Spittal Substation, Halkirk" (Ward 03 — Wick and East Caithness).

Because the installed capacity exceeds 50 MW, the proposal is classed as a "National Development" under National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), and is being considered under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Planning Officer's Assessment & Recommendation

According to the report (PLN/063/25) by the Area Planning Manager - North, "all relevant matters" have been considered in the appraisal. The conclusion is that the proposed development "accords with the principles and policies contained within the Development Plan" and is "acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations."

Based on that assessment, the officer recommendation to the Committee is to "RAISE NO OBJECTION" to the application.

The report is being presented to the Committee as a national development under Section 36 (hence the referral).

Public Response & Concerns

The objections cited include concerns over public health and safety (especially potential fire risk), worries about chemical leaks, traffic disruption (because of new access onto the A9), the site's proximity to the village of Halkirk/Spittal, potential impacts on wildlife, and effects on landscape/visual amenity.

The nearest residential home is reportedly about 300 m to the west of the proposed development.

The nearby river (the River Thurso), protected for its salmon population, lies within about 5 km of the proposed development — giving rise to environmental concerns.

The local community council (Halkirk and District Community Council) has also objected.

Despite these concerns, the official recommendation remains to raise no objection.

This BESS is part of a broader wave of large-scale energy infrastructure proposals coming before the Committee, including substations, overhead lines, wind farms, and BESS, reflecting significant interest in renewables and storage projects across the Highlands.

Some councillors have publicly warned that the volume and complexity of renewables applications are putting the planning system under "unsustainable pressure."

The Committee's role for S36/S37 (electricity-generation/transmission) applications is as consultee: the final decision lies with the relevant central authority (in this case the Energy Consents Unit (ECU), part of the Scottish Government), not the Highland Council itself.

What's Going to Happen at the Meeting (and What's Not in Council's Control)

At today's meeting (26 November 2025), the primary ask to the Committee is whether to adopt the officer recommendation to "raise no objection" to the application.

If the Committee agrees, that position will be forwarded to the Energy Consents Unit / Scottish Ministers but the final decision is not taken by the Council.

As a National Development under the Electricity Act, there will be no pre-determination hearing (i.e. the Council will not hold a public hearing as part of its deliberations) — though the application has still been publicly consulted.

Key Issues & Considerations

From the report and surrounding local commentary, the following issues stand out:

Landscape & visual impact
A large BESS plus substation, compound, fencing, security equipment, and grid connection infrastructure — raising questions about industrialising rural areas.

Environmental risk
Concerns over potential fire, chemical leaks, impact on nearby watercourses (River Thurso), and on local wildlife.

Community impact & safety
Proximity to residential homes; new access onto a major road (A9), traffic and transport considerations.

Sustainability of consent process — given many simultaneous major energy infrastructure applications, there are calls that the planning system and Council scrutiny may be overstretched.

National-level decision-making — even if the Council "raises no objection," the ultimate approval lies with the Scottish Government, reducing direct local control over final outcome.

The Council's "raise no objection" stance does not guarantee the BESS will be built — but it clears a formal hurdle and supports the application going forward under the national consent process.

Given the strength of local objections (health & safety fears, environmental concerns, landscape impact), there may be pressure from residents or interest groups for additional scrutiny or even for ministers to refuse or impose stringent conditions.

The Spittal BESS application is emblematic of a broader shift. The Highlands are rapidly becoming a focal point for large-scale renewable and energy-storage infrastructure. That brings trade-offs — between contributing to national energy / climate goals and preserving local environment, community cohesion, and landscape heritage.

The procedural burden on the Council (and its committees) is rising sharply, which in itself raises questions about whether the model of consent and consultation is sustainable as some local councillors recently warned.

Note
Several other planning applications will be debated today and the meeting is expected to be lengthy

See the full planning applications at
https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5268/north_planning_applications_committee

The meeting starts at 9.30am today 26 November 2025 will be web cast at https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/943032