Wind Power News: U.K.
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Council votes against plans to support wind farms
A council has voted against supporting the creation of onshore wind farms after councillors described the turbines as “noisy” and a “threat to birds”. West Norfolk Council voted against a motion, proposed by deputy leader of the Labour group Jo Rust, which would have seen the council back the Local Electricity Bill. The motion, put before a meeting of the full council at the town hall on Thursday, November 28, stated: “Councils can play a central role in creating sustainable . . . Complete story »
Developer defends decision to submit new plans for rejected wind farm
The prospective developer of a wind farm in the north-west tip of Caithness has defended its decision to submit new plans after its previous scheme was knocked back. Drum Hollistan Renewables LLP’s proposed 17-turbine venture on grazing land on Sandside Estate, near Reay was in June refused planning consent by Scottish Ministers following a public local inquiry. Yesterday, the firm’s partners Muirburn Energy held a drop-in session in the village hall to unveil rejigged plans to erect seven 4.2 megawatt . . . Complete story »
Plan to increase height of contentious wind turbine proposed on Gwent Levels
Plans have been lodged to increase the height of a proposed wind turbine on the Gwent Levels near Newport, which has already been described as the “tallest manmade structure” in the area. Newport council’s planning committee approved plans for the 130 metre tall turbine on a field off Rush Wall Lane near Redwick by a single vote in January, despite the application drawing objections from residents, councillors and environmental agencies who claimed it would adversely impact the landscape. But now . . . Complete story »
Scottish Power plans major expansion of onshore windfarms
ScottishPower has begun plans for a major expansion of onshore windfarm projects across Scotland in anticipation of a government U-turn on support for wind power projects. The renewable energy arm of the big six power supplier has already considered almost 100 sites for a new generation of windfarm, using a smaller number of more powerful wind turbines to generate clean electricity. Most of the sites are in Scotland, but the company is also considering plots in Ireland. Scottish Power expects . . . Complete story »
Viking consults on plans for public access
Viking Energy appears set to press on with plans for its 103 turbine wind farm in central Shetland with the company holding a consultation in Mareel yesterday (20 November) on its plans for public access. It appears though that Viking, now largely owned by energy giants SSE after the Shetland Charitable Trust relinquished its stake in the wind farm, is forging ahead with plans despite failing to win government subsidy, and hopes to announce a principal contractor at some time . . . Complete story »
Objectors storm drop-in session for north wind farm expansion proposals
Battle lines are being drawn up as protesters in and around a far north coast village gear up for another set-to with a wind farm developer. More than 30 placard-wielding objectors gate-crashed a drop-in session to unveil plans to extend a controversial scheme on forest land to the immediate south of Reay. Renewable company Infinergy and its Canadian investor partners Boralex got the go-ahead this summer to erect 21 turbines at Limekiln following a public inquiry. Many locals are furious . . . Complete story »
Reay protesters vow to keep up the fight against new wind farms
Wind farm developers were met with a barrage of angry protesters in Reay on Wednesday evening as the first of two community open days got under way. Close to 30 people took part in the protest against new developments that some residents say will surround the village in a “ring of steel” – Limekiln and Drum Hollistan. Outside the Victoria Hall, where the first of the public consultation events being held by Limekiln developers Infinergy and Boralex was in progress, . . . Complete story »
Planning setback for Belleek windfarm over wildlife fears
A decision to refuse planning for a border windfarm near Belleek has been appealed. Planning permission for what could be one of the tallest wind farms in the county was refused by Donegal County Council over concerns in relation to wildlife. There are concerns that the windfarm will spoil views of unspoilt blanket bog from the Boa Island Road coming into Belleek and that planning permission will eventually be passed. The application proposes seven wind turbines in the Behy Mountain . . . Complete story »
New Judgment: R (Wright) v Resilient Energy Severndale Ltd and Forest of Dean District Council [2019] UKSC 53
On appeal from: [2017] EWCA Civ 2102 The case concerns a challenge by way of judicial review by the respondent, to the grant of planning permission by the second appellant to the first appellant for the change of use of land at a farm in Gloucestershire from agriculture to the erection of a wind turbine. In its application for planning permission, the appellant proposed that the turbine would be built and run by a community benefit society and that an . . . Complete story »
Faulty Rampion offshore wind farm set for expansion
A £1bn offshore wind farm which has been out of action for more than three weeks could be expanded. The Rampion project, off the Sussex Coast, has been dormant since 26 October due to a fault in an electrical distribution system. A spokesperson for Rampion confirmed an “area of search” next to the existing site is “potentially suitable”. The wind farm, situated between Brighton and Worthing, could be extended as far west as Bognor Regis. In August the Crown Estate . . . Complete story »
