A site where many people have scattered loved one’s ashes is at risk of being ‘destroyed’ if a battery energy storage system (BESS) is built there, claim campaigners (Video: Sarah Leah Cobham). <br /><br />Heath Common, often described as the jewel in Wakefield’s crown, is a rural village on the edge of Wakefield. <br /><br />Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee had unanimously voted against a recommendation to approve the scheme at Heath Common. <br /><br />The scheme could still go ahead however, after applicant Harmony Energy lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate due to a three-year delay with the council determining the application. <br /><br />A public inquiry is expected to be held over the matter later this year. <br /><br />Now villagers and historians say this area of significant historic interest could be destroyed if Harmony Energy, the company behind the BESS, is successful in their appeal. <br /><br />In response to the claims, Harmony Energy said the proposed site is not taking up any of the public land mentioned. <br />A spokesperson said: “The site sits between the traveller site and the substation (the latter being 3 x the size of our site). There is no direct access from the traveller site to ours; access to Heath is via a public footpath. <br />“Our proposals do not affect community access. Conversely, the proposals aim to increase community accessibility to the site by creating a permissive footpath to the Dame Mary Bowles Water Tower, which will also be enhanced as part of the proposals - all publicly available. <br />“The proposal is on private land adjacent to the substation. It is not Heath Common where the village fairs and events are held.” <br /><br />
