Site planning
Positioning relative to buildings, trees or other obstructions that may cause turbulence must be carefully taken in to account. Ideally a turbine should be sited 100-300m from the distribution board on the property. The turbine should not be closer than twice the height of the nearest buildings or obstruction on the prevailing wind side and 20 times the height of obstructions upwind from the site. Turbulence will shorten the life of the turbine whilst distance will dissipate the power generated. The further the cable length the greater the cost of the cable
Access to the site is required for the delivery of the concrete, turbine itself and lifting equipment for installation which in some cases involves a 50T crane
Planning permission
For the time being at least, current legislation dictates that planning permission is required for wind turbines. The Government is however in the process of agreeing appropriate standards for wind turbines and aims to include them in a further revision of the GPDO (General Permitted Development Order). This means that some time in the future turbines of a certain criteria in terms of size and location will be treated as permitted development. Turbines with a hub height up to 15m and blade diameter of 5.5m or less are likely to fall within the criteria but nothing is certain
Whilst many Local Plans may not be specific concerning renewable energy and wind turbines in particular, the Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are aware of the thrust of government policy. There is a National Planning Policy Statement (PPS22) specific to renewable energy which promotes and encourages the development of renewable energy resources
Being located in an AONB or National Park does not necessarily preclude planning permission for a turbine. We have successfully obtained consent in AONBs and policy in National Parks does not rule out a turbine. The visual and ecological impact of such a structure is critical although recent favourable appeal decisions give cause for optimism in terms of the acceptance of small scale wind turbines in the rural landscape
We are well practiced at dealing with the planning system in the West and South West of England & Wales and will be pleased to deal with your application if instructed. We have successfully challenged a number of decisions made by LPAs at appeal
