Staythorpe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Temporary traffic management will be in place with single lane traffic between September 1-16 due to civil works associated with utility installation. The road will remain partially open throughout.

Electrical equipment delivery is also expected to start from the beginning of September.

As construction progresses, we’re planning a short-term road closure in the vicinity of the site in early September to allow works on the 11kV cable connection and the water main connection to site. The works will take place in early September, with an exact date yet to be confirmed – we will update this page, and notify residents directly, around two weeks before the closure begins.

Residents can also expect a temporary increase in delivery vehicles to the site during early to mid-September as further equipment arrives. All deliveries will continue to operate within the agreed hours set out in the Construction Traffic Management Plan, and we will keep monitoring this to minimise disruption to the local area.

Construction on site is moving into its next phase, with work transitioning from civil engineering to electrical installation.

This is a planned and expected part of the programme. As electrical works ramp up, site staffing numbers will increase by the end of July 2026, within the levels previously agreed with Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Residents may notice a modest increase in vehicle movements to and from site as a result of the additional workforce. All site traffic will continue to operate within agreed hours and routes, and we will keep monitoring this to minimise disruption to the local area.

We have introduced additional security provisions in response to a recent theft incident at a nearby energy site, in which copper was stolen.

Copper theft is a known risk across the construction and energy sectors. Incidents of this kind can cause direct financial loss, but they also carry programme risk. Replacement materials for specialist electrical components can have long lead times, and any resulting delays have a direct impact on construction activity and delivery timelines.

In response, two trained security guards with dogs are now on site at all times outside of construction hours. This is in addition to existing site security measures.

We want local residents and the wider community to be aware of this. An increased security presence helps protect the site and its materials, but it also acts as a visible deterrent to opportunistic activity in the surrounding area. If you notice anything suspicious near the site or in the local area, please contact the police on 101 or report it online at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk

Permanent fencing works are to commence from Monday 18th May.

As the on-site access between the two fields crosses the existing footpath, it is necessary to close FP1 for health and safety reasons. The permissive path will be available for public use during this time to maintain access and reduce disruption to residents.

To ensure continued access where possible, the closures will be staggered between the existing footpath and the permissive path. However, overhead powerline diversion works will require temporary closures of each route at different times where they intersect.

The closure dates are as follows:

• Permissive Path Closure: 22 April 2026 to 6 May 2026
• Existing Footpath (FP1) Closure: 6 May 2026 to 8 November 2026

These measures are in place to prevent and mitigate any risk of accidents during the construction works. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.

Following a recent incident in which safety fencing was dismantled, the fencing along this section of Public Footpath FP1 has now been fully reinstated. Anti-tamper fixings have also been installed, and CCTV is in operation.

The fencing is in place as a necessary health and safety measure during the construction phase, protecting members of the public from areas where there are changes in ground levels and active construction activity.

We have worked closely with the local authority and our contractors to keep this section of Public Footpath FP1 open safely for as much of the construction period as possible, recognising its importance to local users.

We kindly ask all users to respect the safety measures in place. Interference with fencing or other site infrastructure can create unnecessary risks for both the public and site workers.

If safety measures continue to be interfered with, we may need to review whether it is possible to safely keep this section of FP1 open during construction. This could require an application to Nottinghamshire County Council to temporarily close this section of the footpath and rely on the existing diversion route for the remainder of the works.

We thank the many members of the community who continue to use the footpath responsibly and engage respectfully with workers on site, helping to ensure the route can remain open safely during the construction period. The safety of the public and our workforce remains our priority.

We are aware that, since construction began at the Staythorpe BESS site, vehicles have at times been observed using or entering the site access outside of the project’s permitted delivery hours.

For clarity, all authorised Staythorpe BESS construction deliveries are strictly limited to 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, in accordance with the approved Construction Traffic Management Plan agreed with the Local Planning Authority.

Vehicle movements outside of these hours are not associated with the Staythorpe BESS project unless explicitly confirmed otherwise.

While site activity has been monitored from the outset, we recognise that some vehicle movements in the wider area may have caused uncertainty. To ensure clarity, we are now formally recording and publishing a log of vehicle movements identified as not related to the Staythorpe BESS works.

This log will be updated on a rolling basis and is intended to provide a clear, factual record distinguishing authorised project traffic from unrelated activity in the area.

We remain committed to operating in full compliance with our approved planning conditions and to providing transparent updates to the local community.

You can view the Non-Related Staythorpe BESS Works Traffic log here

Pile level correction (Commencing late March and scheduled to conclude late May 2026)

• Pile trimming to correct levels using Stihl sawing methods.
• Works planned and sequenced to minimise duration and overall disturbance.
• A gravity-fed water suppression system will be deployed throughout to control dust emissions.
• Noise monitoring will continue in line with the Best Practicable Means (BPM) as defined under BS 5228.

Overhead line diversion

Piling Works (Scheduled to conclude mid March 2026)

• The contractor is applying Best Practicable Means (BPM) as defined under BS 5228.
• Continuous vibration monitoring during piling operations.
• Mobile noise monitoring ongoing, with fixed noise monitoring stations operational.
• Decibel levels recorded at agreed receptor locations throughout the day.
• Piling hours voluntarily restricted to 08:00–16:00, including a mandatory one-hour shutdown at lunchtime to provide respite.
• Non-metallic resilient dolly fitted to the rig and regularly inspected to minimise impact (eliminating metal-on-metal contact).

A six-month temporary closure of Public Right of Way Footpath FP1 has been approved by Nottinghamshire County Council. This closure is necessary to support safe construction works and infrastructure installation.

The notice has been displayed in a visible location near the entrance to the footpath.

During the period of restriction there is a signed, permissive alternative route for pedestrians.