Families are set to win their fight against plans for a 99MW battery storage site at a Staffordshire Moorlands farm.

Nearly 150 people objected to the proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) at New House Farm, off Luzlow Lane in Bagnall, which lies in the Green Belt.

Objectors raised concerns over the loss of Green Belt land and the industrialisation of the countryside, saying the development would be an 'eyesore' on the landscape.

The BESS being proposed by applicant Root Power is one of a number of similar schemes that have come forward for sites near Wetley Rocks in the last few years.

Planning officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have now recommended the latest application for refusal, on the grounds that it would be 'inappropriate development' in the Green Belt.

The officers also have concerns over whether firefighters would have safe and convenient access to the site.

The purpose of the BESS is to support the transition to renewable energy by allowing surplus electricity to be stored and released into the grid when needed.

It would include 24 battery clusters, 12 transformers, a substation and various other structures, and would be connected to the Cellarhead substation.

According to Root Power's application, 'very special circumstances' exist to justify development in the Green Belt, due to the 'urgent need' for battery energy storage and the environmental benefits of renewable energy. It also argues that the BESS needs to be near a suitable connection to the grid.

The application attracted objections from nearby neighbours as well as residents from across North Staffordshire and further afield.

Russell Fox, who lives at Armshead, next to the application site, has raised a raft of concerns including the risk of fire, water contamination and the impact on wildlife.

In his objection, he states: "I am so worried about the fire risk because we are so close to the site. The toxic chemical smoke and fumes from a fire would directly affect my family. It would also impact on people using the common and driving through the area. We would be unable to escape it."

Jon Posnett, from Buxton, said: "This area is a haven for wildlife. I have recently begun to survey the area immediately adjacent to the proposed development for birds and, in just two visits have recorded over 20 species. The views from this area are stunning across to the Roaches – a development with high fencing and bright lights would ruin this area."

The application has also received two letters of support, which say that the BESS would support the move to clean energy and bring investment into the area.

In their report, officers note that there is a need to increase energy storage capacity, but conclude that the benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the harms.

The report states: "The proposed development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt. While it is concluded that the land is 'grey belt' it does not satisfy all the criteria to be deemed not inappropriate. Therefore, the development is harmful by definition.

"The development would, in addition compromise openness by replacing open fields with a development of industrial character and appearance."

The planning committee will consider the application at their meeting on Thursday, November 6.