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

A number of concerns have been raised by residents on the grounds that the proposed
development would have an adverse impact on tourism/commerce in the area. Whilst the
concern is appreciated there remains no compelling evidence to suggest that the proposed
development would cause any significant loss of business. Furthermore it would be difficult
to quantify or prove that any loss of business would be directly attributed to the presence of
a wind farm in the vicinity.
AVIATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Air safety considerations exist in relation to proposed wind turbine development due to their
physical characteristics coupled with their size and siting. Consultation has been carried out
with the National Air Traffic Service (NATS).
NATS En Route Plc (NERL) is responsible for 'the safe and expeditious movement in the enroute
phase of flight for aircraft operating in controlled airspace in the UK'. To undertake this
responsibility, NERL has a comprehensive infrastructure of radars, communication systems
and navigational aids throughout the UK, all of which could be compromised by the
establishment of a wind farm within their operational ranges. In order to safeguard its
infrastructure, to ensure its integrity to provide the required services to Air Traffic Control
(ATC), NERL therefore assesses the potential impact of every proposed wind farm
development in the UK.
The Ministry of Defence, Defence Estates (DE), CAA, and National Air Traffic Service
(NATS) have been consulted and they do not object to the proposal. Subject to a condition
requiring the provision of obstruction lighting on the proposed turbines, your officers would
raise no objections to the proposed development on the grounds of adverse harm to air
safety and aviation in general.
The possibility of the wind farm interfering with telecommunications links or television or
radio reception is a consideration. An objection has been raised in relation to radio and
telecommunications links. In the event that the operational wind farm causes interference to
television, this would be required by condition to be remedied by the developer. Potential
solutions include re-aligning existing aerials, upgrading aerials or alternative signals. Digital
television signals are unlikely to be affected.
THIRD PARTY REPRESENTATIONS
Third parties have raised a number of areas of concerns. In particular it is highlighted that
there is no evidence to support the contention that tourism would be adversely affected. The
possible loss of property value is not a material planning consideration.
Concerns have been received from local residents with respect to perceived health issues.
Current Government advice contained in the PPS22 Companion Guide which explains in the
Technical Annex on Wind why electromagnetic emissions will rarely be a health problem,
states that there is no evidence that ground transmitted low frequency noise from wind
turbines is sufficient level to be harmful to human health.
According to the land use gazetteer a wind farm falls within Use Class B2 – general
industrial. The application site is currently used for farming. Comments have been received
regarding the inappropriateness of the change of use from agricultural to industrial.
Following completion of the construction of the wind farm the area around the turbines would
continue to be used for agricultural purposes as is often the case. The agricultural status of
10/01419/FM Development Control Board
25 July 2011
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