January 21, 2013
England

Windfarm plans under discussion

21 January 2013 | www.thestar.co.uk

Plans to extend a windfarm on the outskirts of Doncaster are set to be investigated.

Energy company Banks Renewables is considering applying for planning permission for an extension of the Marr windfarm, which currently houses four huge turbines.

The firm has already invested around £10m in the construction of the existing scheme, which is located on land to the west of junction 37 of the A1(M), and has begun initial discussions with the Marr Community Liaison Committee about its views on the construction of an extension.

No definite decision has yet been taken by Banks on whether it will seek to build such an extension – which would include four new turbines – but the company has confirmed if it does seek planning permission the application could be submitted in the autumn of this year.

The firm has also stated it would not make any further extension applications after that at any point in the future.

The Marr windfarm began generating renewable energy at the beginning of 2012, and has a capacity of eight megawatts.

The firm says its community benefits fund, worth more than £8,000 every year – or around £200,000 across the 25-year lifespan of the windfarm – is already enabling Banks to ‘deliver a range of community and environmental improvements in partnership with local people’ including repair to the roof of St Wilfrid’s Church in Hickleton and the clearance of scrubland at Stables Wood.

Phil Dyke, development director at Banks Renewables, said: “The Marr windfarm has been working well for some time now, both in terms of its efficient production of renewable energy and of the positive relations we’ve built and maintained with the local community.
“We now want to look at whether applying to build an extension to it is an appropriate project for us to pursue.

“If we do decide to go down this route, a full public engagement programme will be undertaken.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/21/windfarm-plans-under-discussion/