July 26, 2013
England

Turbine plans change

By a County Press reporter | July 26, 2013 | www.iwcp.co.uk

Controversial plans for two wind turbines on Ministry of Justice land on the edge of Parkhurst Forest have been revised.

Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) said it had moved the closest turbine to homes to a new location closer to the former Camp Hill prison, part of HMP Isle of Wight.

The company claimed the nearest house was now more than 500 metres away, with the nearest home on Noke Common, the closest street to the development, at around 650m – up from around 450m with the original location.

Further environmental information has also been submitted following an Isle of Wight Council request for additional background noise monitoring.

The planning application is expected to be determined by the authority’s planning committee in October.

PfR is working in partnership with turbine manufacturer, Vestas, with the blades potentially manufactured on the Island.

Vestas is also looking at using the turbines as a test site for technological innovation.

PfR said the MoJ would be paid an annual rental, based on an agreed percentage of the revenue from the electricity sales from the site, providing a revenue stream to the public purse.

It is also exploring the potential to provide electricity directly to HMP IW.

The two proposed turbines would have a combined generating capacity of between four and five megawatts, depending on the turbine model used.

The project could also provide a community benefit fund of £20,000 per year to be spent on community projects decided by residents.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/26/turbine-plans-change/