Wind Turbine Application - FAQs

1. When was the application submitted?

On 26 May 2006.

2. What is the application made for?

The proposal is for the installation of six wind turbines and associated site infrastructure. The turbines will have a range of hub heights, from approximately 65m above ground level (providing a maximum height to blade tip of approximately 106m), to approximately 75m hub height (providing a maximum height to blade tip of approximately 116m).

The turbines will be of a three bladed horizontal access design with an upwind rotor, and a tubular steel tower.

The applicant contends that the turbines would generate between 9.9 and 12 megawatts (MW), depending on ultimate turbine selection. This supply of renewable electricity is equivalent to the power demands of between 6,500 to 7,000 homes.

Associated infrastructure: meteorological mast (approx. 59m) and switching station

3. Where is the application site?

The application site is located to the immediate south and west of Wellow and Thorley Street. Broad Lane forms part of its south west boundary. The site is currently in agricultural use with some farm buildings within close proximity.

4. How can I comment?

There are three major ways you can comment:

• Write to the Council (Andrew Ashcroft, Head of Planning Services, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2QS) or send an e-mail to development@iow.gov.uk

• Complete the online comments form on www.iwight.com

• Attend one of the public exhibitions (see below).

5. When is the closing date for my comments?

21 July 2006.

6. What information is submitted with the application?

• A full environmental statement which sets out the most significant impacts of the proposal on the local environment.

• A non-technical summary of the environmental statement.

• A planning statement relating the application to national, regional and local planning policies.

7. Where can I see information about the application?

There are several ways to see details about the application:

• At the exhibitions in
  • Yarmouth Institute 20 June 2006 2pm - 7pm
  • Freshwater Memorial Hall 21 June 2006 2pm - 7pm
  • Wellow Literary Institute 22 June 2006 2pm - 7pm
  
  
• At the Council's dedicated website address - www.iwight.com/windturbines

• Through the Parish/Town Council clerks:

• At the Planning Services Office at Seaclose.

(The Environmental Statement may be purchased from Agents – Terence O’Rourke, Everdene House, Deansleigh Road, Bournemouth, BH7 7DU, tel: 1202 421142 at a cost of £150 per paper copy and £20 per CD.

8. On what basis does the Council have to determine the application?
What are the important factors in deciding the outcome of the application?

The Council has to decide the application against the policies set out in the development plan. This includes policies in regional guidance (RPG9 and the South East Plan) and local planning policies (the Unitary Development Plan and the evolving Island Plan). There is also Supplementary Planning guidance on wind farms which was produced in September 2004.

Planning policies should be considered in conjunction with material planning considerations which, in this case, includes:

• Impact on the character and appearance of the wider landscape.

• The visual impact of the proposed turbines in their wider context.

  - Noise
  - Shadow flicker
  - Impact on the amenity of users of local footpaths
  - Impact of the construction period on the local highway network
  - The impact of the proposed turbines on prosperity and diversity of the local economy
  - Impact on birds and other wildlife
  - The impact of the proposed turbines on the viability and vitality of the local tourism industry

Planning legislation does not allow the Council to give and weight in the determination of the application to the following factors:

• Suggestions of the loss of value of properties in the immediate vicinity of the development.
• Loss of specific views.
• Issues covered by other legislation (eg the lease or access arrangements between the proposed developer and landowners).
• The nature or financial arrangements of Your Energy

9. What steps will the Council take to determine the application?

10. When will a decision be made on the scheme?

At the special Development Control Sub Committee meeting on 25 September 2006 (TBC). Only the wind farm application will be considered at this meeting.

11. Can I speak at the meeting? What will happen at the meeting?
Is the meeting going to be any different from the usual meeting?

The special meeting will follow the same format as more general meetings:

• The preparation of a report with a recommendation
• An officer presentation
• Comments by (an) objector(s)
• Comments by town/parish council(s)
• Comments by the applicant

Because of the significance of the application the public speaking time for each of the three sets of comments will be increased from three to ten minutes.

12. What are the possible outcomes?

The Council can either:

• Approve the application
• Approve the application with conditions
• Refuse the application

13. If the Council refuses the application does Your Energy have any options at that point?

If the application is refused Your Energy can appeal against this decision. The case will be decided by an independent Planning Inspector. Due to the scale of the application and the range of issues raised it is probable that a public inquiry will take place as part of this process.

14. If the Council approves the application do objectors have any options at that point?

There are no equivalent rights of appeal by objectors and others to a Council decision to approve. In some circumstances objectors can apply to the High Court to have a decision quashed. This can only be done on legal or procedural issues. The Council’s planning judgement cannot be questioned.

15. Who is going to manufacture the turbines?

The Environmental Statement sets out some details on the relationship between Your Energy and Vestas, the company based on the Island. It is probable that Vestas will manufacture the turbine blades. Whilst this matter may be of local interest it is not a material consideration in itself. In the event that the Council, or a Planning Inspector, were to grant planning permission for the scheme it could not be on the condition that the blades or the turbines themselves had to be manufactured by a specific company.

16. Who owns the land where the turbines are proposed?

The application indicates that the owners of the site are Mr & Mrs A Holmes, Manor Farm, Wellow Top Road, Wellow. This is not material to the application.

17. How was the site chosen?

The Environmental Statement identifies the various sites which were examined on the Island by Your Energy and the reasons for choosing the Wellow site. The application has to be determined on its individual merits. No other applications have been submitted or are anticipated for the sites which were considered and which have been discounted.