Plans for a battery energy storage system (BESS) on a site off the A70 in East Ayrshire have been given the green light.

Applicants, Balance Power Projects Limited submitted proposals for the installation of up to 18 battery containers, a substation and electrical equipment on a site between Ochiltree and Drongan.

The site will be built close to the existing Coylton substation, and will have a maximum generating capacity of 29.9MW.

Cumnock Chronicle: A view of how the development would look after 10 years.A view of how the development would look after 10 years. (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

East Ayrshire Council's planning committee heard that visual, traffic and noise impacts of the site are expected to be minimal, with the construction period set to last 12-18 months.

The plant will have an operational life of 40 years.

A condition in the approval, which was granted at a planning committee meeting on Friday, April 19, requires a 'protected species survey' to be undertaken before work starts on site.

No objections were lodged by members of the public or by any statutory consultees.

A traffic management plan for the site is set to be returned to the committee for a decision at a later date.