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Public Inquiry will start on 29th July
The Planning Inspectorate has just made it clear that the Public Inquiry on the Earl's Hall wind turbines will commence on Wednesday 29th July. It is likely to take in the last three days of this week (so Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st) and two days of the following week (Tuesday, 4th and Wednesday 5th August). The venue of the Inquiry will be the Council Chamber at Tendring District Council's, Weeley offices (Thorpe Road, Weeley, Clacton-on-Sea Essex CO16 9AJ).
Proximity and Noise ARE real issues
A landmark decision was reached on 9th March, when a Planning Inspector dismissed an Appeal by wind-power developer, Ecotricity, for the installation of two turbines near Shipdham, in Norfolk. The reason for the dismissal was largely on grounds of 1) the proximity of the turbines to dwellings, and 2) noise, two of the most important factors behind STAPLE's "statement of case" that the Earl's Hall Farm appeal should also be dismissed.
The Shipdham decision sets a line in the sand on the subject of proximity to dwellings, since it makes clear references to recommended minimum distances for noise sensitive properties. It cites Powergen Renewables and Enertrag which look for separation distances of at least 700m, and also refers to Scottish Power’s Windfarm Site Selection Policy which requires an even greater separation of at least 1000m. This should send a warning signal to applicants for large turbines in populated countryside. STAPLE's local research has identified more than 300 properties that lie within 800m (half a mile) of the turbines proposed for Earl's Hall Farm.
Wind power developers always use the BERR-backed ETSU-R-97 Noise standard (specifically for wind turbines) as providing planning justification for their projects. The Shipdham Appeal decision does not seek to challenge the standard used by the wind-power industry, but it does criticise the developer, Ecotricity, for providing inadequate noise testing. Furthermore, it refers to the existence of "wind shear", a phenomenon prevalent in the East of England, and so, likely also to be experienced at sites such as Earl's Hall Farm. It is important to take wind shear into account because, depending on atmospheric conditions, wind speeds at the height of a turbine’s blades can be faster than wind speeds closer to the ground. Higher wind speeds make the blades turn faster and generate more noise than would be predicted solely from measurements taken closer to the ground.
As a "Rule 6 Party", STAPLE is entitled to participate actively in the Inquiry. The campaign group has already submitted its Statement of Case. This contains the arguments that we propose to support the case for refusal. These are concentrated on: 1) unsuitability of site, 2) visual amenity, 3) noise, 4) danger of injury to those in vicinity, 5) excessive "cumulative effects", 6) aviation and radar issues.
The Inquiry will take place in public with cross examination of experts and witnesses in the presence of an Inspector, and also site visits where necessary. At the end of the Inquiry period, there will be a summing up, followed eventually by the Appeal decision itself, weeks or sometimes months later.
For more details on the Appeal, please click on the "Appeal and Inquiry" section in the Menu on the left of this page.