Petition launched over safety concerns of new lithium battery farm in Ryton
The battery farm's been built next to a major rail line, wooden pallet storage, and Flogas site.
Last updated 14th Jul 2025
Locals in Ryton are raising concerns over the construction of a new lithium battery farm- also known as BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)- next to a major rail line, Flogas cylinder site, and wooden pallet storage.
The railway line- run by Northern Rail- connects Newcastle to Carlisle, while the nearby wooden pallet storage caught fire last year.
It's also positioned 300 metres from the Stella West electrical substation, and 600 metres from the nearest residential area; the Stella Riverside estate- just west of Newcastle.
A petition's been launched calling for "the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to inspect the site on Newburn Bridge Road and review the risks, mitigations and the Council's contingency plans in case of an evacuation."
Lithium batteries are highly flammable, and- under certain conditions, such as overheating, damage, or overcharging- they can ignite, leading to thermal runaway, fire, or even explosions.
The petition
Steve Kelly- the Lib Dem representative for the local area- is responsible for the petition and tells us there's concerns locally about the safety of the project.
"All businesses in close proximity to each other pose an increased risk.- especially as the pallet store has suffered several major blazes.
"We have consulted widely, and no one we spoke to on the Stella Riverside Estate knew anything of the work.
"Lots of people have signed the petition, in fact, we've been approached by residents as far away as Leamington and Newburn.
"We have people locally that would like a public meeting, such is the furore around this issue."
Council response
However, Cllr. Chris Buckley- Labour councillor for Ryton, Crookhill and Stella, and Cabinet Member for Housing on Gateshead Council- insists emergency plans are in place and that the HSE didn't raise any objections to the battery farm's development.
In response to the petition, he said: "Planning applications have to follow rules around consultation.
"This was three years ago, so my memory of this is understandably sketchy, but I’ve no reason to think this didn’t happen.
"As part of our requirements, the Council has a wide range of plans in place to safeguard anyone affected by an emergency incident, including generic evacuation arrangements that can be used at borough wide locations should they be required.
"This enables us to support the emergency services to evacuate those impacted by an emergency incident via a coordinated approach to provide transportation, temporary accommodation and to address ongoing welfare issues as required."
Flogas response
A representative for Flogas, who own the LPG gas cylinder storage next door said: "We’re aware of the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near our site on Newburn Bridge Road.
"The planning process for the proposed development was done with the regulators’ full knowledge of Flogas’ operations and involved the Health and Safety Executive who did not raise any objections to the development when it was submitted in 2021.
"Safety is always our top priority, and we operate under stringent regulations.
"Since the Planning approval, we continue to work in partnership with regulators and local emergency services to update our protocols as appropriate to ensure the safety of everyone potentially affected.
"We hope this offers reassurance to the local community.
"We remain fully committed to operating safely and transparently."
An FOI has been submitted to the local Swalwell Fire Station and we will update this webpage accordingly.