Planning
Court dismisses case against Chapel Lane battery storage facility planning permission
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Earlier this year, Walsall Council lodged a formal challenge to fight the controversial decision to allow a battery storage facility to be built on land off Chapel Lane in Great Barr.
The council served the formal challenge on the government in March 2025, on the basis that it did not believe the planning inspector properly considered other possible sites for the development, did not apply evidence regarding noise impacts, and felt the inspector made some fundamental errors in coming to their conclusion.
This week it has been confirmed that the court has dismissed the council’s case and concluded that the inspector was entitled to use their experience and planning judgment to make their conclusions and that their reasoning was adequate.
“ It’s disgraceful that the court has dismissed the case, but sadly they have the final say. I do not believe that the decision to develop a battery storage facility on Chapel Lane is the right decision for our borough.
Residents have consistently opposed this development, which is, in my opinion, an inappropriate development of greenbelt land. We have fought to challenge the decision and protect the land, but unfortunately we have been unsuccessful. “
