Client
Energy Hub Developments – Braxbess Ltd
Expertise
Planning, Environment, Heritage & Transport & Infrastructure
Location
Innerwick, East Lothian, Scotland
Sector
Energy
Context
Battery Energy Storage Schemes (BESS) are essential to speeding up the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. BESS will play an increasingly pivotal role to responding to electricity demands. BESS are devices that enable clean energy from renewables, such as solar and wind, excess to requirements to be stored and then released when the power is needed most, rather than being lost.
The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in Scotland offers strong support for BESS developments, as part of addressing the climate crisis, being given significant weight by Scottish Ministers in their determinations of the sites.
Project Overview
The installation of a BESS and associated development on land south of Barns Ness Terrace, Innerwick, East Lothian. The site, largely a greenfield site, has no specific use allocations in the Local Development Plan. The scheme totals 650 MW of BESS and is a ‘national’ development, submitted to and to be determined by the Scottish Ministers.
The Challenge
There were objections from the Local Planning Authority, East Lothian Council, on matters including transport and landscape, with significant community objection to the Branxton scheme.
The Solution
Pegasus coordinated and undertook community consultation in advance of submitting the applications and continued dialogue during the determination with several stakeholders.
The application was originally submitted in February 2024 and consent was granted by the Scottish Ministers on 23 July 2025.
Testimonials
Christopher Allen, of Energy Hub Developments, commented, “We are extremely impressed by the dedication and expertise demonstrated by Pegasus Group throughout every stage of the Cockenzie and Branxton Battery Energy Storage Scheme projects. Their guidance was invaluable in navigating the complex planning landscape and engaging stakeholders, resulting in a successful outcome that will help drive the transition to a more sustainable energy future. We are delighted our ambitions may became a reality.”
Jamie Scott, Director of Planning at Pegasus Group commented; “We are pleased to have led on this project, and to secure consents from the Scottish Ministers on behalf of our clients. This decision recognises the contribution this scheme will make towards increasing our energy storage capacity, decarbonise our energy supply and increase our resilience in our electricity networks.”