24MW BESS Planning Consent in Green Belt, Barrhead
Aegaea delivered flood risk and drainage evidence for a 24MW Battery Energy Storage System in the Green Belt adjacent to Dams to Darnley Country Park, achieving unanimous planning approval.
Project challenges
The proposed 24MW Battery Energy Storage System was located within the Green Belt and formed part of the setting for Dams to Darnley Country Park. The site was positioned adjacent to land susceptible to flooding, including the Aurs Burn watercourse.
Flood risk and drainage were identified as critical determination issues, requiring clear evidence that the development would remain safe from flooding without increasing risk to third parties. The green belt location, flood sensitivity, and local environmental designations created a complex planning context requiring robust technical evidence.
How we solved it
Aegaea delivered a comprehensive flood risk and drainage strategy including hydraulic modelling of the Aurs Burn to assess site-specific fluvial flood risk, a Flood Risk Assessment aligned with SEPA guidance and Glasgow City Council policy, and a surface water drainage strategy based on the drainage hierarchy and SuDS principles.
The team leveraged extensive experience with Glasgow City Council's bespoke requirements for Strategic Infrastructure, including consultation with Scottish Water regarding exclusion zones and easements for below-ground high-pressure supply assets crossing the site.
Results delivered
Glasgow City Council's Planning Committee unanimously approved the development, describing it as "well designed," "quality," and aligned with the Council's Net Zero objectives. Planning permission was granted in June 2025 subject to a Section 75 Agreement.
The detailed flood modelling demonstrated that the site could accommodate the BESS development safely with no adverse impacts on third-party flood risk. This outcome is particularly significant given the green belt location, flood sensitivity, and local environmental designations.
Project Overview
This project involved securing planning permission for a 24MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Parkhouse Road, Barrhead. The site presented multiple planning challenges: it was located within the Green Belt, formed part of the setting for Dams to Darnley Country Park, and sat adjacent to the Aurs Burn — a watercourse with associated flood risk.
Flood Risk and Drainage Strategy
The flood risk assessment required hydraulic modelling of the Aurs Burn to establish site-specific fluvial flood risk. Our model demonstrated that the development platform was situated above the design flood level, but the proximity to the watercourse meant that careful design of access routes and surface water drainage was essential.
The surface water drainage strategy was developed in accordance with Glasgow City Council’s requirements and the Scottish drainage hierarchy. The strategy incorporated SuDS principles and was designed to ensure no increase in surface water runoff from the site.
Scottish Water Consultation
A notable aspect of this project was the consultation with Scottish Water regarding below-ground high-pressure supply assets crossing the site. The team worked to identify exclusion zones and easements that needed to be respected within the development layout, ensuring that the BESS infrastructure could be safely accommodated without conflicting with existing water supply assets.
Planning Committee Decision
The project achieved unanimous approval from Glasgow City Council’s Planning Committee. Committee members described the development as “well designed” and “quality,” recognising its alignment with the Council’s Net Zero objectives. The unanimous decision reflected the quality of the technical evidence submitted and the collaborative approach taken with key stakeholders throughout the planning process.
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