Dunbar BESS planning update (consented project)
“FRV Powertek has submitted an application to East Lothian Council (ELC) to keep an existing field access open. This is not a new site access. This is separate to the BESS access, which would remain as previously approved. The approved BESS access was previously reviewed by both West Barns and East Lammermuir Community Councils, approved by East Lothian Council as local planning authority, and deemed acceptable from a highways perspective by the local highway authority. The local highway authority has also confirmed in principle that the retention of the existing field access is acceptable.
The determination deadline for the application is 23 November. Further information is available on the ELC Planning Portal under reference 26/00947/P (or via the button below). We remain committed to community engagement on the Dunbar BESS project and welcome questions or feedback.” FRV Powertek
Project contact: mike.clements@frvpowertek.com
ELC planning contact: environment@eastlothian.gov.uk
Image above Pitcox BESS proposed site in blue, Dunbar BESS consented site in green. Image below – close up of sites
Pitcox BESS Planning Update
“This development is over the road from the consented Dunbar BESS on which West Barns Community Council are taking the lead. It will be important to understand how the construction and biodiversity impacts of the two developments will interact.
East Lammermuir Community Council will be seeking involvement in the final agreed planning conditions – including the Construction Traffic Management Plan and Public Access Management Plan – primarily to ensure engagement with local community members to make sure these plans make use of local intelligence and expectations.” ELCC Chair Chris Bruce
“Following East Lothian Council’s objection in August 2025 to the Section 36 Pitcox BESS proposal, the applicant, Abei Energy, submitted additional information in response to the concerns raised by the Council. This included further information relating to landscape and visual impact assessment, hedgerow loss, cumulative noise impacts, surface water flooding and flood protection, and site access arrangements.
In June 2026, the Council withdrew its objection, having concluded that the matters which formed the basis of the objection had been adequately addressed.” East Lothian Council
Eastern Green Link 1 – Oxwellmains
“A significant milestone has been reached at the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) converter station site at Oxwellmains, with steel erection now underway.
Steelwork is being erected for the service building, which will house essential equipment including power supplies, cooling plant, and the control and protection systems.
Towards the end of the month, some larger steel girders will start to be transported to site under police escort due to the width and length of the loads. Road users will still be able to overtake these vehicles as normal, where it is safe to do so.” SP Energy Networks
Project contact: contact@easterngreenlink1.co.
Image: converter station site indicated by the pink box, EGL1 planning boundary in red.
More information about other Energy Project developments in the September Energy Projects Partnership newsletter.
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