The Planning Process
A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposal is being undertaken. The results will be presented in an Environmental Statement which will be submitted to Allerdale Borough Council with the Planning Application.
Planning Policy
The Westnewton wind cluster proposal has been developed within Allerdale Borough council’s planning framework to ensure compliance with planning policy. The relevant policies are contained in the following documents:
- Regional Planning Guidance for the North West;
- Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West
- Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan
- Allerdale Local Plan
- Wind Energy Development in Cumbria, A Statement of Supplementary Planning Guidance Cumbria
- Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Draft August 2006
These documents at regional and local level, together with those at a national planning policy and guidance level all promote the installation of renewable energy projects provided they are able to meet with environmental criteria laid down by these documents.
The proposed Westnewton Wind Cluster meets the environment criteria and is strongly supported by local and national policies and targets to promote sustainable development in general, and renewable energy in particular.
Consultations
CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND IS SOMETHING TO WHICH BROADVIEW ENERGY IS VERY COMMITTED.
Broadview Energy has been in consultation with Allerdale Borough Council and statutory consultees such as Natural England, English Heritage, the Ministry of Defence and Ofcom since the early stages of the project. These consultations together with bird and ecology surveys and technical feasibility studies have helped determine whether this is a suitable site for a wind farm. They have also helped determine the scope of the studies required for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project.
Information was conveyed to local Parish Councils from an early stage to ensure they were aware of the developing project.
Current and proposed community consultation activity:
- Presentation to Westnewton Parish Council, April 2007
- Public exhibition in October 2007
- Press releases in local papers at important stages of the project
Any queries or requests for additional information: Jeffrey Corrigan, Broadview Energy Limited, The Old Power Station, 121 Mortlake High Street, London, SW14 8SN
