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

Planning Authorities should ensure that the quality of the wider countryside is protected
and, where possible, enhanced; and in PPS22, which states that the environmental
impacts of renewable energy projects should be addressed satisfactorily.
3 The proposed development of 6 wind turbines will adversely affect the setting of
Bloodgate Hill Fort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and the setting of Barmer Church,
as a Grade II* listed building, (which could be exacerbated by any approval of the
Chiplow Wind Farm, by the introduction of a sense of intrusive motion). The proposal
is therefore contrary to policy HE10 of PPS5 in that it fails to preserve or enhance the
setting of these designated heritage assets. It is also contrary to policy HE1 of PPS5
as the harm caused to the designated heritage assets is not considered to be
outweighed by the contribution that the project would make to mitigating climate
change, bearing in mind the relatively modest scale of the development.
4 Based upon the present evidence available the proposed wind turbines, which are
large structures with moving blades, will visually intrude into the wider setting of the
Grade I Registered Park/Garden at Houghton Park and listed buildings within the park
in a manner harmful to their significance and visitors’ experience of them. The
proposal is therefore contrary to policy HE10 of PPS5 in that it fails to preserve or
enhance the setting of these designated heritage assets. It is also contrary to policy
HE1 of PPS5 as the harm caused to the designated heritage assets is not considered
to be outweighed by the contribution that the project would make to mitigating climate
change, bearing in mind the relatively modest scale of the development.
5 Planning Policy Statement 9, Biodiversity and Geological Conservation includes the
objective to conserve, enhance and restore the diversity of England's wildlife, with
Planning for Renewable Energy - A companion Guide to PPS22 advising that the
impact of a wind farm on the local ecology should be minimal. Policy ENV3 of the East
of England Plan (2008) states that the region's wider biodiversity, earth heritage and
natural resources are protected and enriched through the conservation, restoration and
re-establishment of key resources. In this instance it has not been demonstrated that
the impacts upon Pink Footed Geese can be effectively mitigated. The development
therefore fails to comply with PPS9 and PPS22, Policy ENV3 of the East of England
Plan 2008. Furthermore the proposed development, by virtue of its potential adverse
impact upon the Pink Footed Geese and consequent adverse impact upon the North
Norfolk and Wash Special Protection Areas, would also be contrary to Regulation 48 of
The Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c) Regulations 1994 and the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
BACKGROUND PAPERS
Application file reference: 10/01419/FM
Norfolk Structure Plan (1999)
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Local Plan (1998)
10/01419/FM Development Control Board
25 July 2011
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