The creation of a battery energy storage system to help prevent blackouts similar to the one suffered in Spain recently has been given the go-ahead by Solihull planners.

Applicant Conrad Energy (Developments) II Limited submitted the plan to develop land at Burton Green Farm last September.

The systems – to store electricity to be used during fluctuations or in the event of a blackout – was earmarked for agricultural fields surrounded by mature field boundaries and woodland.

Nine residents raised objections during a public consultation which included complaints it was inappropriate development in the green belt and that battery storage should be on previously-developed land.

The application for the land off Hob Lane was considered by members of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's planning committee at its latest meeting.

In the public speaking section Spencer Jefferies, from the applicants, highlighted the current energy situation in the UK and the push to net zero.

"With new renewables coming online it is essential we have the storage in order to have energy available when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining ," he said.

"We have seen that recent example in Spain (in April) where they had an over reliance on solar which caused a meltdown of their system."

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Cllr Andrew Burrow highlighted that officers had identified the land as new grey belt – low quality green belt land that could be used for development.

"I was concerned about reference to grey belt – if this site is grey belt the whole of Solihull is grey belt," the councillors said.

"It's an isolated field quite a long way from anywhere next to a wood.

"This whole thing (grey belt determination) is going to end up in the courts."

During the members' debate chairman of the committee, Cllr Bob Grinsell, said the landscaping of the site to screen it from public view "looked quite good" but highlighted the applicant's pictures were of greenery in full leaf.

"What happens in the winter if they are not evergreens," the chairman asked.

Officer Kim Allen said some hedgerows planted would be some evergreens.

"It is very deliberate they are not all evergreen because of the character of Solihull and Arden Pastures," she added.

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Members unanimously in favour when the vote was taken at the meeting held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, June 18.

The site is located to the west of Hob Lane in Burton Green village and around 830 metres from the Berkswell National Grid substation to the north.