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

the vast majority of the land contained within the application site would therefore not be
undermined to an adverse degree.
Where objections can be identified as material and are supported by specific evidence, then
appropriate weight should be given to them. If any such objections cannot be overcome or
otherwise addressed satisfactorily, they need then to be weighed in the balance along with
those considerations in favour of the scheme.
CONCLUSION
National policies are generally supportive of renewable energy developments. However,
they do indicate that the developments should be acceptable in all other respects.
There are many issues to be considered in the determination of this application as discussed
above. Your officers consider that the applicant has satisfactorily addressed many of these.
However, there remain concerns in three areas:-
� Landscape and Visual Impact (individually and cumulatively with the development at
Jacks Lane);
� Impact upon the Pink Footed Geese population and consequently upon the Special
Protection Areas; and
� Impact upon cultural heritage, in particular upon Barmer Church, Bloodgate Hill fort
and Houghton Hall Park.
Consultants commissioned by your officers to review the LVI assessment carried out by the
applicant broadly concur with the assessment in terms of the wider landscape and the
AONB, i.e. that the impact will not be significant.
However, there are concerns that the use of generalised landscape types underestimates
the sensitivity of the landscape closer to (within 2.5km) the turbines. Consequently, the
impact upon the landscape is considered to be of ‘Major – moderate’ significance.
One of the key characteristics of the landscape in the area surrounding the site that comes
through all the various documents is that it has a strong sense of both isolation and
tranquillity as well as having open and prominent sky lines. In light of the comments both
from third parties and from independent consultants, it is considered that the assessment
has underestimated the impact that the proposed wind farm would have. The introduction of
turbines into this landscape and in particular the movement associated with them would
have a material, adverse impact upon its character. The turbines would be dominant
features in the landscape, drawing undue attention to themselves and detracting from the
undeveloped nature of the area. The moving blades would also disrupt the tranquil nature of
the landscape.
Similarly, the cumulative landscape and visual impact arising from both this development
and that proposed at Jack’s Lane has also been underestimated. It is considered that this
impact will cause material harm to both the character of the landscape, in particular its sense
of peace and tranquillity and isolation.
The application should therefore be refused both on its individual and cumulative landscape
and visual impact.
10/01419/FM Development Control Board
25 July 2011
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