Approve Now, Fire Safety Later? Calderdale’s Big Battery Gamble

Calderdale Council planning committee is about to vote on one of the UK’s largest battery storage schemes — 462 lithium-ion containers planned for a site near homes, schools, and a listed hotel.

The catch?
There’s no confirmed fire safety plan.

West Yorkshire Fire Service say the water supply isn’t enough. Experts warn of toxic smoke, firefighting delays, and the risk of approving before it’s safe.

In this episode, we ask:
Why is fire safety being deferred?
What happens when the fire service has no legal right to stop a high-risk development?
And is this really how local planning should work?

With expert insight from fire safety consultant Arnold Tarling.

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