Planning Updates

Waiting for planning application decision - 18 April 2012

This application has been with the Local Authority for some time now and so far it has been well received by the Statutory Bodies. To date there are no objections from these bodies on the planning file. No date has been set for a Planning Committee yet – but we are hopeful it will be in May 2012. 

As soon as we get a decision on the application we will let you know. 

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Planning application submitted - 01 August 2011

Since the wind monitoring mast went up on site we have been busy looking at the site again and considering all the comments made by local residents and the planning inspectorate on the last three Public Enquiries. The turbine number remains as 2 and the tip height remains up to 100m but the turbine locations have moved slightly so that they are in a north–south line rather than an east-west line.

We have now submitted the planning application and the council will be undertaking consultation with the hope that it can be determined with 16 weeks. A summary of the information in the application can be found in the documentation attached to this web page and the whole application can be viewed on line at Breckland Council’s website.

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Working towards an application - 14 January 2011

We have now completed the noise monitoring assessment at this site, and we believe that we have a turbine layout which is suitable and deals with the concerns expressed. We will continue to look at all the elements of the site and confirm this, and if it is the case we hope to have an application in for this application by the middle of the year.

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Background noise monitoring starting soon - 22 April 2010

Since the installation of our temporary wind monitoring mast, we’ve been in discussion with local residents about the background noise monitoring survey, which is carried out at various locations around the proposed site to gather accurate data.

We hope that we will be able to start this in the next few weeks. This will enable us to address the concerns expressed by the Inspector in determining the last Inquiry and progress this site into planning.

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Mast application approved - 15 January 2010

In December 2009 the planning committee of Breckland Council finally approved our application to site a temporary monitoring mast at the site. This is the first step in our evaluation of the alternative layout promoted by a local objector at the last Public Inquiry. Our initial assessments suggest that this is a feasible alternative but we want to work with the local community during the evaluation process to ensure that everyone is happy with the methodologies and approach being adopted.

It’s clear from the Inspector’s report following the most recent inquiry that, with the exception of concerns about the noise assessment, this is an acceptable location for the siting of wind turbines. Our noise consultants hope to be able to carry out monitoring during the early part of 2010 with a view to assuaging the concerns identified by the Inspector.

You can show your support for by contacting Breckland District Council at the following address: contactus@breckland.gov.uk

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Pressing on with a new design - 11 March 2009

The latest appeal was dismissed by the inspectorate yesterday, over the issue of noise - again.

But we've decided to press on with the wind park application by starting to prepare a new design for the park that directly responds to these concerns.

Breckland District Council's own survey in 2002 showed that 90% of residents were in favour of new renewable energy schemes, and we want to be able to build this project for the residents that support it.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said:

"All of the reasons for refusal were around debates over noise. We will create a layout where there is no debate about noise. The project has been tried and tested in every other issue for seven years and the only thing that has been found wanting is the noise so we are confident we will be successful."

You can show your support for by contacting Breckland District Council at the following address: contactus@breckland.gov.uk

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Awaiting the inquiry result - 17 December 2008

The third public inquiry finished yesterday with a site visit by the inspector who will submit her findings to the Planning Inspectorate headquarters during the third week in January, this means we should have a decision by early February.

We refuse to be beaten by beaurocracy or NIMBY nit picking - the planning system is pretty wanting - as can be seen from this. Just two turbines - 4 MWs - no real reason for refusal, only back at the inquiry stage to make a noise condition "clearer". Every other potential conflict has been examined several times over and the antis have been unable to find a material problem.

We're awaiting the result with interest.

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Another public enquiry - 20 November 2007

Well into its 6th year in planning (yes, really!) our application to build two turbines at Shipdham is to go back to public inquiry - it's third! But on this occasion some common sense has prevailed ... this time the inquiry will only look at one issue - that of noise.

We have been granted permission for this project in the past - back in June 2006. But the decision was challenged at the High Court, and then quashed when the Planning Inspectorate declined to defend the action, all of this on just a single ground - that the applied noise condition was "unenforceable and imprecise".

This issue, which is really just a procedural abuse, is easily resolved - Ecotricity have already revised the wording of the noise condition with the assistance of an independent acoustic consultant, and agreed a legally binding form of words with the planning authority. The inquiry will take place in the New Year, chaired by the same inspector as before.

"We've been through a process no less arduous or expensive than if we had applied to build a nuclear power station - and all for two wind turbines, its crazy" said Dale Vince, MD Ecotricity

The project has overwhelming support amongst the local community, Breckland Councils own survey of local people showed over 90% of residents support wind turbines. The two proposed 65-metre high turbines will generate enough electricity to power over 2,500 local homes and provide up to 12% of Norfolk's renewable energy target. One day.