Shipdham, Norfolk
Another public enquiry...
After six years of planning, two public inquiries, and an attempted High Court challenge the application to build two wind turbines at Shipdham is again in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate.
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.
Opinion polls show that the majority of the public are in favour of renewable energy and want more projects to go ahead so we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Breckland District Council's own survey in 2002 showed that 90% of residents were in favour of new renewable energy schemes.
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.
You can contact Breckland District Council at the following address: contactus@breckland.gov.uk
Vital statistics
Site address - Wood Farm, Shipdham, Norfolk
Planning Since - 20 Nov 2007
Turbines - 2
Rotor diameter - 70m
Capacity - 4MW
Green electricity per year -
9.1 million units
Equivalent homes - 2,778
CO2 savings - 7,884 tonnes
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.
