TNEI works with Banks Development to secure planning for Doncaster's first wind farm |
The company involved in advising the Government on best practice for onshore wind energy planning has put the theory into practice by helping to secure planning permission for Doncaster’s first ever wind farm. TNEI Services worked with the former DTI on the compilation of a guidance document, Onshore Wind Energy Planning Conditions, published at the end of 2007.
A team of specialists from TNEI were recruited to advise the Government and to help with the report’s compilation, due to the company’s expertise in Environment and Planning, especially in relation to wind energy. Only months after the report was published, the company has demonstrated its expertise by working with its client, Banks Developments, to secure planning for Doncaster’s first wind farm.
Planning has been granted for 4 wind turbines generating between 2 – 3 MW of energy to be erected south of Marr village, in Doncaster Borough, an area that has previously had applications of this sort rejected.
The difference in the Marr submission has been the careful site selection, turbine layout design and pro-active management during the planning application process. After initial concerns were expressed over visual impact and cultural heritage, the design of the wind farm was amended by cutting the number of turbines from 10 to 4 and redesigning their location.
Local community concerns were allayed and the Council approved the plans which will contribute significantly to Doncaster’s renewable energy targets.
Work will begin on the site next year. The Marr development is one of 5 wind farm projects TNEI has been involved in with Banks Developments over the past four years.
In all, TNEI has offered environmental impact assessment, project management and planning support to Banks. Rob Williams, Projects Director at Banks Developments explained: “We have worked closely with TNEI for 4 years. The continuation of the relationship reflects the various strengths and value that TNEI’s team add to our projects. The Marr project, delivered on time and to budget, demonstrates TNEI’s consistent commitment to provide high quality planning and project management services.”
Andy Edgar, Principal Consultant at TNEI explained: “The success of TNEI’s work with Banks Developments has largely been due to the relationship between the key personnel at the two companies. Together, we have developed a project strategy with strong emphasis on consultation, a high quality planning submission and put together an excellent consultancy team, the success of the Doncaster project demonstrates this.”
TNEI advised on the compilation of the October 2007 BERR (formally DTI) Onshore wind energy planning conditions guidance note: a report for the Renewables Advisory Board and BERR.