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The Scheme
We are still at an
early stage of the planning process. Enertrag are currently agreeing a
scoping opinion with South Cambridgeshire District Council. This will
identify the work that Enertrag will have to carry out for the
Environmental Impact Assessment which will form the main part of their
formal planning application. Enertrag have indicated that they are aiming
to put in their planning application this autumn.
All we have in terms of
details of the scheme are contained in a leaflet that Enertrag have
circulated to some local residents. This contained an outline map (Click
here for map) which shows 8 turbines and within the text Enertrag states
that the turbines would be a maximum of 85m to the hub and the rotors would
be a maximum of 90m in diameter. This means that each turbine will be a
maximum of 130m high ( virtually the same size as the London Eye which
stands at 135m) and each blade will be sweeping out an area in the sky as
big as a football pitch.
Obviously the details of
the scheme could change as Enertrag undertake the required consultation
prior to the final application but there is no question that the turbines
will exert a dominating influence on the immediate area and will change the
landscape character for their lifetime.
Enertrag make play with
the impression that these are temporary structures and they state that at
the end of their working life the wind turbines will be removed and the site
revert to its former agricultural use. However, there is no guarantee that
this will happen and indeed the inspector in the Boxworth appeal poured cold
water on this argument saying:
"The appellant has
made much of the reversibility of the project, but to my mind the extent to
which this argument is deployed rather undermines its efficacy. If the
development was compatible with its landscape setting, there would be no
need to protest that the scheme is of a temporary nature. Indeed, Para 109
of DOE Circular 11/95 The Use of Conditions in Planning Permissions states
that the reason for granting a temporary permission can never be that the
time-limit is necessary because of the effect of the development on the
amenities of the area. If it is not possible to overcome the adverse effect
on amenity, and if the damage cannot be accepted, then the only course open
is to refuse permission. I understand from the appellant however that the
reason for the proposed temporary period is the unpredictability of changes
to the structure and mix of the power supply industry - circumstances may be
entirely different in 25 years time. However, in my view this argument is
not compatible with the long-term targets in the Energy Review - for
example, to cut emissions by 60% by about 2050. In my opinion the
development proposed is substantial in nature, and the appellant
acknowledges that the period envisaged is equivalent in human terms to a
generation. Although I recognise the 25 year period is the appellant’s
suggestion, I nevertheless understand that some of the earlier turbines on
established wind farms have been replaced by more recent models. And, in the
event of the appeal succeeding, I consider that this would be a more likely
future than the closure of the site at the end of the period."
A planning permission has
recently been submitted to replace the turbines at the Delabole Wind Farm,
one of the first schemes in the country, and the replacements will be
considerably larger than the current turbines.
A further issue with the
scheme is the likelihood of further schemes being proposed in the
neighbourhood if this one is approved. The reason is that it is much easier
for wind farm developers to get permission once a landscape character has
been changed with existing turbines. This can take two forms:
Extension to an
existing scheme: Thus at the Burton Wold wind farm at Kettering an
application has already gone in for a further 7 turbines in addition to the
existing 10 a year after commissioning.
New scheme nearby:
Swaffham is a classic example of this. The town were very happy with their
first two turbines but then Enertrag built their 8 turbine North Pickenham
Wind Farm nearby and now there is a proposal to build 6 more along the A47.
Suddenly people are realising that their area is in danger of being turned
into "wind alley". All you have to do is drive out into the Fens,
to see around March and Peterborough, just how one successful application can
lead to others. Looking at the map you can see that there is a large stretch of land to the west and south of the proposed scheme that
would offer a very attractive proposition to other developers. There is a
real danger of the further industrialisation of the area.
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