South Derbyshire Conservatives have accused the Labour-led District Council of “kicking the can down the road” after refusing to join calls for urgent action on the controversial Chesterfield-to-Willington National Grid upgrade and the growing number of Battery Energy Storage Sites (BESS) planned for the district.
At Thursday night’s full council meeting, Councillor Daniel Corbin pressed the Labour leadership to commit to writing to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, urging a rethink of the Chesterfield-to-Willington delivery route and demanding stronger legislation on BESS. He highlighted widespread public concern over the dangers of battery storage, including fire risks, health impacts, and the industrialisation of South Derbyshire’s countryside.
The Conservative Group has already written to the Secretary of State and pointed out that councils across the country, as well as South Derbyshire’s Labour MP, are now even echoing their stance. However, Labour locally once again refused to act — instead saying they would wait until the next consultation in 2026.
Councillor Corbin said:
“Residents are alarmed, and rightly so. Safety, planning, health concerns, and the protection of our countryside can’t wait until 2026. Labour’s plan is to sit back, have a cup of tea, and wait patiently while South Derbyshire is treated as a dumping ground for pylons and battery farms. That is simply not good enough.”
The Conservatives also raised concerns about the impartiality of planning decisions on BESS applications, particularly in sensitive areas such as the National Forest. They are calling for safeguards to ensure that all applications are treated fairly, with open minds and on planning grounds alone.
Councillor Corbin added:
“Local people expect their council to stand up and fight for them. We are urging the Government to rethink the Chesterfield–Willington route, demand proper legislation on BESS, and make sure South Derbyshire’s voice is heard in Westminster — now, not years down the line.”
The Conservative Group has pledged to keep fighting for South Derbyshire residents until Labour stops delaying and takes the real concerns of local communities seriously.
