Introduction

Sunlaws Development Company Limited has submitted a Planning Application to Scottish Borders Council, as planning authority, for a 49.5MW Battery Energy Storage System, named Shielburn Energy Park, on land adjacent to the Fallago Rig 400kV substation, on the Roxburghe Estate. The application is currently awaiting validation, following which a reference number and link to the application on the Scottish Borders planning portal will be provided here.

The application follows the submission of the Proposal of Application Notice, which was approved on 7th August 2024 under application reference 24/00834/PAN; and a request for an EIA Screening Opinion, which was delivered on 23rd August 2024 24/00833/SCR, determining that the impacts of the proposal would ‘not require to be subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment’.

Technical and environmental studies were carried-out from January 2024 to March 2025; including early engagement with statutory consultees and community stakeholders.

Public Exhibitions were held at Longformacus Village Hall on Thursday 3rd and Tuesday 22nd October 2024, with comments being considered and responded to at the events and through subsequent communications.  Public feedback has informed the design of the project, and the scope and quality of the planning application. 

Location

The proposed development intends to use existing access tracks, for construction and operation. Two routes are being considered: one travelling to the east to join the public road leading to Gifford Road, and one travelling to the southeast leading to the public road joining the B6456.   Technical assessments of the routes have been carried out with regard to their suitability for traffic and equipment loads during construction and operational phases.  The route leading southeast has been used previously for similar loads and is considered the most suitable, with no alteration expected to be required.

The 49.5MW battery energy storage scheme (BESS), Shielburn Energy Park, is proposed to be located at grid reference NT 58449 59127, on land adjacent to the Fallago Rig 400kV substation, on the Roxburghe Estate in the Scottish Borders. 

The villages of Westruther, Longformacus and Gifford are approximately 10km away; and the closest town, Duns, lies at a distance of approximately 21km from the site.

Our Proposal

The proposal is for a 49.5MW battery energy storage scheme and associated infrastructure.  Key elements include:

More detailed information is provided in the planning application, which includes the following reports:

  • Planning, Design and Access Statement

  • Pre-Application Consultation report

  • Landscape and Visual Appraisal

  • Transport Statement

  • Ecological Impact Assessment

  • Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

  • Fire Safety Statement

  • Outdoor Access Statement

  • Outline Peat Management Plan

  • Drainage Assessment (including Flood Risk Statement)

  • battery units and low voltage transformers, on concrete pads or steel pile plinths

  • a grid connection transformer compound

  • two switchgear/control buildings housing inverters, electrical switch and control equipment

  • a site office, with welfare 

  • a sheltered storage area

  • a water storage tank

  • a surface water drainage system, including attenuation storage

  • security fencing, cameras and lighting

  • stoned hardstandings, site vehicle tracks and footpaths

  • a parking area, with electric vehicle charging point

  • landscaping

Development Timeline

Public Engagement

As part of the pre-application consultation process, two Public Exhibitions were held within the local community at Longformacus Village Hall on Thursday 3rd and Tuesday 22nd October 2024.  These events provided an opportunity for any person interested in learning more about the project, and/or wishing to ask questions or make comment, to engage directly with members of the project team. Further information and materials exhibited at the event can be found here Public Exhibition Information.