A GAS generator plant will be built near two of Minehead’s supermarkets following an appeal by a developer.

John Colombi of Conrad Energy (Developments) Ltd. applied in November 2019 to build a “standby gas generator plant” off Brereton Road, a short distance from the town’s Lidl and Tesco stores.

Somerset West and Taunton Council refused the plans in March 2020, arguing it would not generate significant employment or meet its commitments to promoting green energy.

But this decision has been overruled by the Planning Inspectorate, who agreed it was not workable to create a battery storage facility on the site instead.

Planning inspector Andrew Tucker visited the site on July 13 and published his report ahead of a virtual meeting of the council’s planning committee on Thursday (July 23).

He said the plant would “occupy a small part of a vacant site” and the new 11,000-volt electricity connection could incentivise local economic growth.

He added: “The economic benefits are clear in terms of securing a sufficient and reliable source of electricity, and potentially stimulating the development of the rest of the vacant site.”

Mr Tucker also agreed with the applicant that a battery storage facility on the site – which would store electricity at times of low demand – would not be feasible.

South Somerset District Council owns and operates such a facility just outside Taunton, generating income for front-line services by storing electricity and selling power back to the National Grid at peak times.

Mr Tucker said: “Although a battery storage facility would not rely on fossil fuels, it has limitations as it can only provide power for a limited period, and once batteries have been emptied, they cannot be recharged until the incoming supply has stabilised.

“Somerset West and Taunton Council is concerned that allowing the proposal would perpetuate a cycle in which alternative flexible assets which produce less carbon would remain financially unviable.

“However, evidence provided demonstrates the particular advantages of a gas-powered system, and the role that it plays in securing supply when generation from renewable generating sources is low, and supporting the transition to low-carbon electricity generation.

“It is understood that natural gas will continue to be required as a crucial part of the energy supply until at least 2050.”

Under the terms of the appeal, the plant must not operate for more than 2,500 hours during any 12-month period, and cannot be turned on between 11pm and 7am for more than a total of 20 hours during that same time-frame.