11/00713/F - Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk

Recommendation
REFUSE
THE APPLICATION
The application site comprises an area of farmland 200 hectares in extent, with an existing
means of vehicular access off Barwick Road, Stanhoe. Barwick Hall Farm lies at the western
edge of the main part of the site (excluding the existing access) and includes a dwelling, in
addition to a range of farm buildings. The application site also includes the route of a
proposed new vehicular access, which would be used during the construction and
decommissioning phases, running south and eastwards.
Jack's Lane bounds the eastern boundary of the main part of the application site, where the
proposed six wind turbines would be sited. Whilst the main part of the site is largely open in
character, it includes hedgerows, hedgerow trees, and Hundred Acre Plantation in a fairly
central position within the site.
Residential properties nearby are fairly sporadic in this rural location. The village of Stanhoe
is located to the north of the site.
Whilst the site has no statutory designations within its boundary, it is close to a number of
designated areas. These areas include Syderstone Common SSSI and the Scheduled
Ancient Monuments of Beaufoe's Manor in South Creake, Creake Abbey, Syderstone
Barrows and the Bloodgate Hill Iron Age Fort.
The proposal seeks full planning permission for 6 wind turbines of up to a tower height of
80m with a maximum height to blade tip height of 126.5m. The maximum output for each
turbine would be 2.3MW, giving a total output of up to 13.8MW (enough to power
approximately 8000 homes). An anemometer mast, up to 4 guyed meteorological masts
(80m in height located to the north of turbine number 3 (T3)) and a communication mast
(10m high located within the substation compound) are also proposed. A substation (south
west of T3), access tracks and ancillary infrastructure would also be provided. The
construction compound would be located to the south west of T3.
Two wind turbines would be sited to the south of the Hundred Acre Plantation, whilst the
remaining 4 wind turbines would run parallel with Jack's Lane track. Planning permission is
sought for a period of up to 25 years, the anticipated operational life of the wind turbines.
The applicant has also asked for mico-siting of the turbines. The LPA note that Inspectors
have taken different stances on the issue of mirco-siting. Some have attached micro-siting
conditions; others have not attached such a condition, where others have taken an approach
relating to specific turbines within the scheme.
The planning application includes an Environmental Statement (ES) and planning statement.
The ES covers the following issues:
Volume I - Non Technical Summary of the detailed Environment Impact Assessment
Volume II - The full Environmental Impact Assessment which contains technical and
supporting information
Volume III- Figures and plans referred to in text of Volume II
10/01419/FM Development Control Board
25 July 2011
39