Proposed Riccarton Battery Storage System
Miller Developments has submitted an application for the proposed installation and operation of a battery storage system (BESS) on land adjacent to the west of Riccarton Mains Road on the northern edge of Currie.
Proposal
The proposal is the erection and installation of a battery energy storage system. This includes Battery storage containers, Inverter and transformer stations and associated security fencing, CCTV cameras and security lighting.
A new vehicular access is also proposed from Riccarton Mains road with new access tracks within the site, drainage works, and biodiversity and landscape enhancements.
The expected storage capacity of the facility is over 50 megawatts (MW).
What is battery storage and why is it required?
Batter storage is essential for creating more resilient, cost effective, and sustainable energy systems.
Battery storage, or battery energy storage systems (BESS), are devices that store energy from renewable sources like solar and wind, and release it when needed.
This technology is crucial for several reasons:
Balancing Supply and Demand: Renewable energy sources are intermittent; the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. Battery storage helps balance the grid by storing excess energy when production is high and releasing it during peak demand.
Enhancing Grid Stability: Battery storage provides fast response times to fluctuations in energy supply and demand, helping maintain grid stability and prevent blackouts.
Reducing Costs: By storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during peak times, battery storage can lower electricity costs and reduce the need for expensive peaking power plants.
Supporting Renewable Integration: As we transition to a more sustainable energy system, battery storage enables greater integration of renewable energy sources, making the grid more efficient and reliable.
Location
The proposed development is located adjacent to the west of Riccarton Mains Road on the northern edge of Currie. The site lies within the City of Edinburgh Council local authority area.
The site is brownfield land with little ecological value. The Site is mainly occupied by scrubby woodland with open areas of undeveloped, brownfield land.
Riccarton Garden Centre sits within the south-eastern corner of the Site.
Have your say
Miller Developments strongly believe in the need for ongoing dialogue regarding our projects, promising to consult and listen carefully to views on the proposals and making changes where possible.
As part of this, we believe in a meaningful and effective pre-application consultation (PAC) process, aiming to engage early on with the local community and other key stakeholders prior to the submission of a planning application.
In accordance with planning regulations, two public consultation events were held. These events allowed the local community and other key stakeholders the opportunity to engage and provide much-valued feedback on the emerging proposals.
Our first event outlining our initial high-level proposals was held on the 12th of February 2025 3pm - 8pm at Riccarton Garden Centre.
Download our consultation exhibition boards (10MB pdf)
A second event displaying updated proposals and how we have responded to feedback received was held on the 6th of March 2025 from 3pm -8pm also at Riccarton Garden Centre.
Download our consultation exhibition boards (9.5MB pdf)
This event provided the opportunity to provide further feedback, with amendments included where appropriate in advance of the submission of a planning application.
The comments period for public consultation is now closed.
Comments on the application can be made directly to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit website
Application Documents
Appendix A - Screening Opinion.pdf
Appendix B - Landscape and Visual Appraisal.pdf
Appendix C - Ecological Impact Assessment Apps 1 PEA.pdf
Appendix C - Ecological Impact Assessment Apps 2 OBEMP.pdf
Appendix C - Ecological Impact Assessment.pdf
Appendix D - Heritage Appraisal.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 1.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 2a.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 2b.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 2c.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 3a.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 3b.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 3c.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report Apps 3d.pdf
Appendix E - Geoenvironmental Report.pdf
Appendix F - Flood Risk Assessment.pdf
Appendix G - Drainage Strategy Report Apps 1.pdf
Appendix G - Drainage Strategy Report Apps 2.pdf
Appendix G - Drainage Strategy Report.pdf
Appendix H - Transport Statement.pdf
Appendix I - Noise Impact Assessment.pdf
Appendix J - Construction Dust Risk Assessment.pdf
Appendix K - Arboricultural Impact Assessment.pdf
Appendix K Arboricultural Impact Assessment Apps 1 Tree Impact Assessment.pdf
Appendix L - Tree Protection Plan.pdf
Figure 3.1 - Site Location.pdf
Figure 3.2 - Constraints Within 5 km.pdf
Figure 4.1 - Proposed Development Layout.pdf
Figure 4.2a - Proposed Plan & Elevations of BESS Compound (SHT 1 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.2b - Proposed Plan & Elevations of BESS Compound (SHT 2 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.3a - Proposed Plan & Elevations of Substation Compound (SHT 1 of 3).pdf
Figure 4.3b - Proposed Plan & Elevations of Substation Compound (SHT 2 of 3).pdf
Figure 4.3c - Proposed Plan & Elevations of Substation Compound (SHT 3 of 3).pdf
Figure 4.4a - Proposed Plan and Elevations of DNO Control Room (SHT 1 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.4b - Proposed Plan and Elevations of DNO Control Room (SHT 2 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.5a - Proposed Plan and Elevations of Customer Control Room (SHT 1 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.5b - Proposed Plan and Elevations of Customer Control Room (SHT 2 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.6a Proposed Plan & Elevations of PCS Units (SHT 1 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.6b - Proposed Plan & Elevations of PCS Units (SHT 2 of 2).pdf
Figure 4.7 - Fence and Gate Detail.pdf
Figure 4.8 - CCTV & Lighting Column Elevations.pdf
Figure 4.9 - Indicative Construction Compound.pdf
Fire Plume Modelling Assessment.pdf
Outline Battery Safety Management Plan.pdf
Riccarton BESS Planning Statement.pdf
Riccarton BESS Pre Application Consultation Report.pdf
Riccarton BESS Supporting Environmental Information Report.pdf
About Miller Developments
Miller Developments is one of the UK’s leading land and property development companies. With a strong track record going back for more than 60 years, Miller Developments has extensive experience across every sector of the market.
We have a highly experienced development team that has delivered a large number of projects across all sectors of the market including residential land, industrial and distribution, retail and office uses.
We have an established culture of working in partnership with a variety of organisations ranging from small development companies and national housebuilders to public sector organisations.
