After two years of environmental impact studies and public consultations Marshland Windfarm has submitted a formal application for consent to develop 19 wind turbines on land adjoining Marshland St James in Norfolk. Alongside the application the developers have submitted a detailed study showing the turbines would benefit the local economy and have little or no negative impact on the surrounding area.
The application has been submitted to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. BERR will decide whether or not the turbines can be built.
The application is the culmination of detailed consultations and assessments of how the proposed development could impact on the local area. Taking into account cultural and heritage, ecological, and social and economic factors it was found that the development would have little or no detrimental impact on the Marshland area. Residents, local councils and heritage and wildlife groups were all consulted in the development of the proposals.
Norfolk Landscape Archaeology (NLA) was consulted regarding potential impacts on the area's heritage. At the request of English Heritage the assessment also addressed issues including the direct impact on historic/archaeological fabric, the setting of listed buildings and scheduled monuments, the potential for buried archaeology and the potential impact upon the landscape. The consultation concluded that there will be little or no impact on these during construction of the turbines or during their operation and decommissioning.
Detailed ecological survey work was undertaken to assess the potential impact on the region's wildlife. Surveys included a breeding bird survey, over-wintering bird survey, vantage point bird counts, water vole survey, badger survey and a bat activity survey. The purpose of these surveys was to identify the type and quality of habitat that could be affected by the wind farm proposal, to highlight the presence of any protected or vulnerable species or sensitive areas where conflicts might arise.
Natural England, Norfolk Bat Group, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the RSPB were also consulted on the proposed scheme.
An assessment of the noise impact of the proposed Marshlands Windfarm was also carried out. Baseline noise levels were measured at six locations representative of the residential properties closest to the proposed turbines. Worst case turbine noise levels were predicted based on sound power level data for an Enercon E82 turbine. The assessment shows that the predicted noise levels at the nearest residential properties are lower than the most stringent standard 24 hours a day and would therefore have no significant impact.
Noise from construction and decommissioning is unlikely to exceed published criteria for acceptable levels of construction noise so no significant impact is therefore expected. Noise from operational and construction activities will be regulated through planning conditions or other agreement with the local authority.
Socio-economic impacts during the construction phase of the wind farm are generally thought to be positive. Positive impacts include the job creation that the construction of the wind turbines will bring. Socioeconomic benefits during operation include the contribution that will be made by Marshland Windfarm to a community benefit fund.
Marshland Windfarm Ltd spokesman Bruce Pittingale said: "This has been a long consultation process and we are delighted that we have now been able to submit our detailed application for planning consent to BERR. In association with the landowners the developer has tried to minimise the potential impact that this development could have on the surrounding villages and their residents.
"The proposed development will have little or no detrimental impact on the Marshland area and indeed will have a positive benefit in terms of the environment and the economic benefits its construction will bring to the area. During the consultation process we have consulted with over 80 organisations, none of which have put forward any significant objections."
The submission to BERR for formal planning consent follows a long and detailed consultation that included a series of public consultation events. Public exhibitions of the plans took place in four villages and for one week at the nearby R J Herbert factory earlier in the year.
The owners of the land where turbines may be sited have been subjected to a catalogue of intimidation and abuse. An anemometer set up to test the viability of the site was destroyed, contractors carrying out survey work have been physically threatened and landowners' property has been subjected to acts of vandalism and arson.
