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We would like to thank everybody that took the time to respond to our consultation, which closed on the 12th September 2008. Encouragingly, the majority of responses that we have received are supportive. However, a number of concerns have also been raised, some of which we believe are unfounded.
We have responded to these concerns as best we can, below.
Wind energy is not cost effective.
Wind energy currently receives financial support in the form of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), which has led many people to believe that it is not economical, and that it does not provide a good return on capital investment. This viewpoint is both misinformed and misleading, for a number of reasons.
First, it is crucial that the UK diversifies its energy mix. This is important not only to combat climate change, but also to ensure that we are able to ensure security of supply. The system of ROCs is a way of creating market demand for renewable energy technologies. It depends not on government subsidies, but instead passes the extra costs on to the consumer, and goes some way to correcting the fact that energy produced from fossil fuels bares ‘hidden’ costs; namely, the contribution made to climate change.
Second, wind is a free, clean and renewable fuel which will never run out. Once installed, the only costs are operation and maintenance, and fixed costs such as land rental. In contrast, the cost of producing energy from gas, coal and oil (which together provide around 73% of the UK’s electricity) has risen substantially in the past year, and is expected to rise further as resources become depleted and demand continues to rise.
Third, developments in engineering have produced a range of larger, more efficient turbines that allow more efficient operation at a range of different wind speeds.
Lastly, the cost of financing wind energy schemes has fallen dramatically as lenders have gained confidence in the technology. Economically therefore, wind energy is becoming an increasingly attractive form of energy generation.
How much noise will it make?
The issue of noise was identified to be a cause of considerable concern at an early stage of the development process. As a result, Wind Direct commission independent acoustics experts Acia to undertake a thorough survey of ambient noise in the vicinity of the proposed scheme and compared this to modelled noise levels produced by wind turbines.
The results were assessed against the guidelines available for wind energy developments, with particular attention paid to the ETSU-R-97 report The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms and the latest Onshore wind energy planning conditions guidance note (Renewables Advisory Board and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, BERR).
The report found that noise levels associated with the operation of the turbines would fall below existing daytime and night time ambient noise levels, and well within the levels stipulated within the guidelines mentioned above. As such the report concluded that noise generated from the turbines would not be detrimental to the amenity of local residents. The report, together with a summary of its findings will be included with the planning application.
Wind turbines are blot on Landscape.
Clearly, the issue of whether or not wind turbines have an adverse impact on the landscape is a subjective issue, and the matter of some debate. Wind Direct has a policy of not pursuing projects within National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and looks carefully at the impact our projects will have on landscape designations such as Historic Parks and Gardens, listed buildings, religious buildings, castles and Scheduled Historic Monuments.
In this case, Wind Direct is firmly of the belief that in terms of landscape and visual impact, the proposed development will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. This is due to a number of factors, including the existing land use of the development site, its proximity to the A425 trunk road and the high level of screening provided by both topography and trees.
In addition, given that wind energy represents a quick and cost effective way of enabling companies such as Oakland to reduce their carbon footprint, it is suggested that any adverse affects the proposed turbines are perceived to have on the landscape should be weighed against those expected to occur as a result of climate change. Furthermore, Wind Direct would like to point out that we intend only to seek a temporary planning consent to cover the lifetime of the turbines (25 years). After this time, it is possible that new technologies will have emerged that will enable companies such as Oakland to reduce its carbon emissions by other means. In the event that this happens, the turbines would be removed and the site restored to its original use.
These arguments notwithstanding, Wind Direct has committed to undertaking a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment in support of the planning application. This will be produced in line with the Landscape Institute’s Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, published in 2002, and will assess the impact of the proposed scheme on a variety of receptors (e.g. commuters / ramblers / householders) at number of different viewpoints agreed in conjunction with the local planning authority.
This is Greenbelt land - why should Oakland be allowed to build a wind turbine when I can’t even extend my house?
PPG 2 Green Belts sets out the national planning policy relating to green belt land, and is clear that development should not be approved, except in ‘very special circumstance’. Wind Direct firmly believes that such circumstances exist in this case, and it will be up to us make that case when we submit the planning application. Ultimately however, it will be up to the Council to decide whether that belief is justified.
What about the impact that the proposal will have on wildlife and birds?
Our original proposal included a third turbine, about 1km to the north west. However after consulting with Natural England ant both Worcester and Warwickshire Wildlife Trusts, this turbine was dropped due to concern about the impact it would have on Windmill Naps SSSI.
In order to assess the impact the remaining two turbines would have on wildlife and birds, Wind Direct then comissioned an Extended Phase I habitat survey. This allowed us to determine the baseline habitat of the site and outline the potential ecological value and significance of habitats for protected and notable flora and fauna. This work was carried out in April 2008 by independent ecologists (Avian Ecology), and found that as it comprises intensively managed lowland pastoral farmland, the ecological value of the site was limited. The report concluded that it was unlikely that the current proposal would have a significant impact on wildlife or birds, and that no further studies would be required in support of the application.
The full report, together with a summary of its findings will be included with the planning application.
What about the impact that the proposal will have on property prices?
While it is not the purpose of the planning system to protect the value of private property, evidence from operating wind farms in England, Wales and Scotland demonstrates that wind farms have no material effect on house prices. Wind Direct is aware of several reports relating to impacts on house prices, the most recent being research published by RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) [1]. The concluding remarks were as follows:
“There is evidence to suggest that the ‘threat’ of a wind farm may have a more significant impact than the actual presence of one. Even this may not translate into lower house prices if the community are actively involved in the process and enjoy some of the benefits through lower, or greener, fuel costs.”
Similarly, the Edinburgh Solicitor’s Property Centre (ESPC) conducted an analysis of relative movements in residential property prices in areas surrounding Crystal Rig wind farm over a seven-year period from 2000 to 2006 [2]. There was some evidence to suggest that property rise inflation in Dunbar was accelerated once plans for the Crystal Rig wind farm were approved. In the twelve months after planning permission for the farm was granted, the average price of property rose in the town by 53.2% as compared to 24.0% overall in East Lothian.
Where can we see a similar installation?
In our experience, the best way that people can allay their concerns about wind energy is for them to visit an operational wind farm. Unfortunately, the West Midlands currently has no wind energy schemes that employ wind turbines similar to those proposed at Oakland; the nearest such scheme is the Burton Wold Wind Farm in Northamptonshire (www.burtonwoldwindfarm.com). If you do have concerns about noise and visual impact, we would encourage you to visit this scheme so that you can judge for yourself the impact they have.
If transport is a problem, please contact us. If enough people are interested, we may be able to organise a minibus or coach.
Why don’t you hold a public meeting?
So far we have found this website to be an excellent way to communicate with you. Indeed, we have been encouraged by the level of response to our consultation, which in the main has been very positive. Having said this, we have held public meetings in the past, and will do so again if we think it will help to keep people informed and allow them come to a balanced judgement about the proposal.
Will this mean there will be lots more wind turbines in the area?
The West Midlands Energy Strategy 2004 stated that the region would need 150MW of installed wind power if it was to meet its target of generating 5% of its electricity needs by 2010. Currently, the region has 1.245MW installed, with only a further 0.04MW either waiting or under construction. Clearly, there will be a need to greatly increase the number of wind turbines across the region.
However, in the event that the Oakland Wind Energy Scheme was granted planning permission, should Wind Direct (or any other developer for that matter) wish to develop additional sites locally, it would need to be proven that the cumulative impact of both existing and proposed schemes would not have an unacceptable impact on the environment. Currently, Wind Direct has no plans to expand the capacity of the Oakland wind energy scheme, and has no other sites under development in the immediate vicinity.
I live in Stratford-upon-Avon – what rights to I have?
Once the planning application has been submitted, you will be given a further opportunity to comment on the proposal. If you live locally, your comments will carry the same weight as any other individual, regardless of which local authority you live in.
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