December 12, 2012
England

Wind farm back on cards for Polegate

Eastbourne Herald | 12 December 2012 | www.eastbourneherald.co.uk

Plans for a wind farm in Polegate will be resubmitted by the developer in the new year.

Original plans for a five-turbine farm off Shepham Lane were withdrawn earlier in July after Wealden District Council recommended the scheme be refused. This followed strong opposition to the wind farm from local residents.

The developer, Galliford Try Renewables (GTR), has announced it is looking to resubmit a planning application for Shepham Wind Farm at Polegate in the New Year.

Since this time, GTR has been working with the council and other consultees to address the three reasons for refusal – visual impact, residential amenity and cultural heritage – and a new three-turbine wind farm is now proposed.

The original application was for five turbines with tip heights of 414ft. GTR has amended the layout by removing two turbines, reducing the tip heights to 377ft and relocating two of the turbines towards the east of the site.

Tom Porter, project developer for GTR,said, “We have been working closely with the council, English Heritage and a number of landscape and visual experts over the past five months to amend the scheme to significantly reduce any impacts on the National Park and local residences.

“We are confident that we have overcome the concerns raised earlier in the year.”

“Even though two turbines have been removed, the wind farm still has the potential to generate a significant amount of renewable energy – the equivalent needs of more than 4,000 homes. This amounts to generating over 19,700MWh of clean electricity each year, reducing up to 8,475 tonnes of carbon over the same period.”

While the original plans received objections from local residents, there was some support for the scheme and the group has welcomed GTR’s latest announcement.

Andrew Durling, from Yes to Polegate Wind Farm, said, “We look forward to Polegate becoming part of the clean energy revolution this country needs in order to keep the lights switched on whilst keeping people and planet safe”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/12/12/wind-farm-back-on-cards-for-polegate/