Shipdham, Norfolk
Seven years in the making...
Ecotricity is preparing a fresh planning application for two turbines in Shipdham - after seven years of planning, three public inquiries, and an attempted High Court challenge.
The two 65-metre high turbines could generate enough electricity to power over 2,500 local homes and provide up to 12% of Norfolk's renewable energy target.
Once complete the two wind turbines will generate an estimated 9 million units of clean energy, saving nearly 8,000 tonnes of CO 2 each year. All the electricity generated will be available to local households and businesses in the area.
Read the latest news for this wind park.
Vital statistics
Site address - Wood Farm, Shipdham
Planning Since - 20 Nov 2007
Turbines - 2
Hub height - 64m
Rotor diameter - 70m
Capacity - 4MW
Green electricity per year -
9.1 million units
Equivalent homes - 2,778
CO2 savings - 7,884 tonnes
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
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
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.
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.
