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TAWDSIDE FARM WIND TURBINE

Since 2015 planning consent for wind turbines in England has been a real challenge. The Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) and then National Planning Policy Framework 3 (NPPF3) required all wind turbine developments to:

1. Be located in an area identified as suitable for wind energy development in the development plan
2. Have the backing of the local community

These criteria elements can create significant challenges for landowners and developers, particularly in areas where the local plan pre-dates the WMS and NPPF3. Not only do the concerns of the local community need to be addressed, but most Local Plans also have no designated areas for wind turbines.

For Tawdside, a turf producer and arable farm located in Lancashire, these were the very real challenges they were facing.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wind turbine project in England
  • £100,000 investment
  • Adjacent to pink-footed goose feeding grounds
  • Mandatory Community Consultation required
  • Schedule 2 EIA development
  • Subsidy-free project with all electricity being consumed onsite

GALLERY

    OUR EXPERTISE

    • Community Consultation
    • Bird surveys
    • Bat Surveys
    • Noise & Shadow Flicker Assessments
    • Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment
    • Screening Opinion & Planning Application
    • NNP3 Rebuttal Statement

    APPROACH & SOLUTIONS

    The team at Cogeo are well-renowned for challenging projects. We welcomed the task of addressing and bringing solutions to the EIA and planning process in support of Eocycle, the turbine supplier, working with the landowner to develop the project.

    As with all turbine projects, we needed to utilise a range of internal expertise to support the site design and initial feasibility of the development. With a location selected, the development went through the Screening Opinion process with the Local Authority to confirm that there would be no need for an Environmental Impact Assessment in support of the planning application. However, areas such as noise, ecology and landscape would require further assessment.

    As part of the community engagement, we worked alongside Eocycle and the landowner to engage with and understand any potential concerns of the local residents. Our surveys revealed that 75% of respondents supported the principle of the scheme.

    After considering and assessing the feedback received, Cogeo, and the landowner, slightly altered the project to alleviate some of the respondents’ concerns. Subsequently, our team embarked on bird and bat surveys, landscape photography and heritage assessments. We compiled the Planning Statement, including all public correspondent and planning policy appraisal, and all required environmental assessments.

    OUTCOME

    Following an objection from NATS for radar impact, which we satisfied, and with no other consultee concerns, the Local Authority asked our Planning Team for further comment on the NPPF. Our robust statement was reflected in the findings of the Case Officer’s report:

    “…it must be noted that the Council's current Local Plan does not include any areas which have been identified as suitable for wind energy. The current Local Plan pre-dates the revised NPPF and the WMS, so this is unsurprising, and it would be unreasonable to suggest that this should equate to a blanket ban on wind development within the Borough.”

    This led to the application being consented to by delegated decision in marquee ruling for wind energy in the region.

    As energy costs continue to grow, it’s anticipated the Tawdside turbine will be installed during the summer 2022, allowing the landowner to benefit from cheap, green electricity.

    The work by the Cogeo team on this particular project demonstrates that although many wind turbine developments may appear to be challenging and a non-starter for some, with the right approach, services and knowledge, you can succeed.

    If you have a renewables project that you would like our expert opinion on, you can contact us here.