Skip to content
PlanIndex Get alerts
Menu

Planning application

Smeaton Energy Storage Project Whitecraig

Granted East Lothian 23/00008/SGC Scottish Government Consultation

Works: Trees Small domestic

Read from the description, not a valuation. How we read the register

Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.

Proposal

The proposed project is a battery energy storage system (BESS) consisting of a compound containing circa 100 energy storage containers with a total capacity of between 200 and 250 Megawatts, located on an area of arable farmland near to the hamlet of Smeaton, located between Dalkeith and Whitecraig in East Lothian. The centre of the site is located at East: 335753 North: 669080. The site is located around 300m northeast of the Smeaton Substation, to which it would be connected. The project would also include an electrical control building, transformers and switchgear. The site would have an inner enclosure consisting of security fencing, with planted native tree belts and bunding outwith this fence to provide landscaping. (ECU00004783)

As published by the council, reference 23/00008/SGC

Application record

Reference
23/00008/SGC
Type
Scottish Government Consultation
Status
Permitted
Decision
Granted As published: Granted by Scottish Ministers
Received
23 Oct 2023
Validated
23 Oct 2023
Decided
29 Aug 2024
Ward
Fa'side
Parish
Whitecraig Community Council

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 23 Oct 2023

    Received by East Lothian

  2. 29 Aug 2024

    Decision issued: Granted by Scottish Ministers

  3. 19 Sep 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

Documents

Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report

4 documents on file for this application

A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.

Watch members (£5 a month) open the document list from here.

Open the documents

What this grant of permission means

East Lothian granted permission on 29 August 2024, subject to any conditions on the decision notice. Work must normally begin within three years or the permission lapses. More in our guide to what happens after a planning decision.

About outline applications

An outline application tests the principle of developing a site, holding back details such as appearance and landscaping as reserved matters for later approval. More in our guide to planning application types.

In East Lothian

  • 26/00006/SCR Status unknown

    Blindwells East Lothian

    The forthcoming Section 42 application relates specifically to amendments to the overall development quantum and land use distribution across the approved masterplan, rather than changes to the site boundary, primary infrastructure strategy or development principles previously assessed

    Received 14 Jul, published by the council 29 Jul 2026 Outline
  • 26/00005/SCR Decided

    Baird Maltings Pencaitland EH34 5DQ

    The proposed development includes the demolition of all existing buildings and structures within the site. This will include an asbestos survey and removal of any asbestos in an appropriate manner. Explosive demolition is likely to be used for the two 6-storey concrete framed mill buildings on the site. Depending on the precise phasing and approach taken the demolition process is expected to take between around 40 and 65 weeks. The demolition itself is a single project. It may be that planning permission is obtained for an alternative use in due course. However, the demolition is not dependent on planning permission being obtained for another use. The demolition is necessary due to the high cost of securing the site and structures on a vacant state. The proposed development of this EIA screening request does not include the erection of any other buildings or hard standing surfaces.

    Received 19 Jun, published by the council 29 Jul 2026 Outline
  • 26/00196/PP Refused

    Garden Ground Of 43 Dunbar Road Haddington East Lothian

    Planning Permission in Principle for the erection of 1 house

    Received 19 Feb, published by the council 29 Jul 2026 Outline
  • 26/00004/SCR Decided

    Land To North Of A199 At Beanston Farm Haddington East Lothian

    Proposed anaerobic digestion plant with perimeter bunding and associated landscaping, access and infrastructure works.

    Received 18 May, published by the council 29 Jul 2026 Outline
  • 26/00570/SCO Status unknown

    Howden Farm Gifford EH41 1JS

    60,000 capacity free range hen shed to be located in Howden Farm. Access is from the B6355

    Received 2 Jun, published by the council 29 Jul 2026 Outline