Wind Energy Planning

UK based energy company Ecotricity has vowed to continue the fight for two wind turbines near the village of Shipdham in Norfolk.

Over the last 8 years there have been three public inquiries into the proposal, with the last Inspector dismissing the plans because of noise issues.

A new application for temporary permission to install a 70m wind measuring mast at Wood Farm near Shipdham was recently submitted to Breckland Council. The Council approved the application, however councillors knew that if they refused the application for the mast because it might lead to another wind farm application – and then lost a planning appeal – they could be liable for a costs claim made by Ecotricity.

Both anti- and pro wind energy groups exist in the local community making the wind turbines a hot topic of conversation.

According to the Dereham Times – Ecotricity head Dale Vince said: “We’re going to submit a new planning application shortly. This is the first stage in that process. We have sufficient room on site to increase the separation of the turbines from the nearest houses in such a way as to put beyond any doubt the issue of noise.

“This project has been tried and tested on every other issue for seven years now, noise has been a grey area with some planning inspectors taking one view and others a different one – we’re going to put the issue beyond any doubt this time.

“The site itself is a good one for wind energy and there are not so many of those in Breckland.

“Future generations will probably look back in bemusement at the years of squabbling over two windmills in the face of overwhelming evidence of climate change – but they wouldn’t thank us for walking away. And we don’t intend to.”

David Hill, Shipdham Parish Council chairman, said at the meeting “We have been through a long process and it has wasted a lot of people’s time and money.

“It has been turned down three times. Which piece of no do these guys (Ecotricity) not understand?”

The first Shipdham wind turbine appeal was dismissed in 2003 because the noise information that had been submitted to the Council was inadequate. The second appeal was allowed in 2002 however one of the noise conditions was successfully challenged in the High Court. The decision was quashed and a new Inspector appointed to determine the third appeal. This decision too went down on noise grounds because Ecotricity have proposed noise levels that breached the recommended guidance.

Another project on the Essex coast near Bradwell on Sea was allowed on appeal two years ago but a high court challenge saw the consent quashed because of a typing error. A further public inquiry at a cost of over £200,000 is to be held at the end of this year at Maldon Council Offices.