Caley Thistle bid for 'financial security' through £40 million project set for decision day
Caledonian Thistle’s bid to secure its financial future through a proposed battery storage scheme in south Inverness is set to be determined as all but one reason for refusal was removed by officials.
The £40 million project – in conjunction with Caley Thistle sponsor Intelligent Land Investments (ILI) – for a battery storage scheme is seeking planning permission for a 1.7 hectare site behind the Fairways business centre.
The proposal is for a facility comprising 52 battery storage containers that is claimed could power every Highland home for at least two hours saving 20,000 tons of carbon and the football club says would put it on “the cusp of securing our long-term financial stability.”
Back in November the application was recommended for refusal but instead councillors were willing to look for solutions to the four objections and deferred the decision.
The four main reasons given by officials were made on the grounds of flooding, ecology, noise and the loss of the green space – they have been whittled down to just one – the loss of green space – so the plans are still recommended for refusal.
Before it is decided, councillors on the south planning applications committee will pay a site visit to the area amid local concerns that the project could impinge upon locals, though Slackbuie Community Council did not object but the neighbouring neighbouring Inshes and Milton of Leys Community Council did arguing the development poses a risk to their residents.
It is also concerned about the potential loss of green space.
The south planning application committee will meet next week.
