Wind turbines the size of the London Eye

A question of scale?

The Swindon Advertiser reported last week on an upcoming planning meeting that was going to draw a lot of locals out in protest at the siting of 3 wind turbines, at the Honda plant site.

Residents who reckon they'll be within 320 metres of the 400ft turbines aren't against renewable energy, just the suitability of the proposed site.

Noise and 'flicker' are a real concern, according to one resident.

If passed, the 3 turbines would be the tallest structures in Swindon.

What's interesting is the comments the story generated with both sides (for and against) claiming scientific knowledge proves or refutes many of the local residents fears.

You can find the full article and read the comments left by readers of the Swindon Advertiser here.

photo credit: jukka zitting

48% of all onshore wind farm applications rejected

Even if you're not a tree hugging environmentalist, you can't have failed to notice that much of the energy headlines are being dominated by the push for renewable forms of energy production.

The Governments practically ramming solar energy down homeowners throats with pay back tariff incentives, which has also caught the eye of investors, who've started offering free solar panels, in exchange for the homeowner renting out their roof to the installation companies.

But there's more to renewables than just solar.

On-shore and more noticeably, off-shore wind turbines are also producing measurable amounts of clean energy for the UK.

These large scale (and small scale) producers are critical if the UK is to meet it's carbon reduction targets - agreed limits with the rest of Europe with a strict deadline (which looks every further in jeopardy).

However, all is not well.

The Birmingham Post revealed how nearly half of all on-shore wind turbine installations were turned down at the planning stage last year - the exact figure being 48%.

This is a significant and worrying increase from the 33% rejected in 2009.

Most of the rejections stemmed from public opposition to what is seen as an unwelcome blight on a local landscape.

Now a commercial law firm has warned that 'Town Halls' may not be seeing the bigger picture, when upholding local interests and denying wind turbine applications.

Development companies are not lying down though, concerned that they're not getting a "balanced hearing". "National interest is being over-ridden by local concerns".

What do you think? Have you recently fought to get a proposed wind turbine application refused? Should all turbines be sited off-shore?

photo credit: incase

Campaign to reduce planning red tape on solar panels

The "chaos surrounding solar panel installations" could soon be cleared up as Ministers pledge to tackle the planning red tape.

That's according to an article on Heating and Ventilating.net who cite several local councils who've insisted homeowners obtain planning permission for solar panels, where none was required.

Government guidance currently states that planning permission is not required unless the property is a listed building or within a conservation area.

Building regulations are not needed as long as Government Competent Person Scheme contractor is used.

Solar companies are welcoming the news that Ministers are finally getting involved, and hope that once and for all, the confusion for homeowners, installers and local councils will be cleared up.

Remember if you're planning a solar panel installation to take advantage of the Governments feed-in-tariffs, you must use a FiT accredited installer, or at least get the installation 'signed off' by an approved installer.

photo credit: liz west

Why so much negativity over Wind Power?

I can't be the only one?

I've noticed, of late, that there seems to be a lot of stories and articles regarding wind turbines, that have really called into question the usefulness of wind power as a viable renewable alternative to our energy problems.

On the face of it, what could be simpler?

The wind blows, turns the blades which drive a mechanism which converts revolutions to electricity which is then sent off to the Grid.

The reality seems to be far from simple.

For starters, there's been lots of headlines about the small amounts of useful energy actually produced by wind farms with some suggesting that energy production has fallen.

This has been blamed on too much (or too little) wind, too much and the turbines overload the system and have to be switched off. Too little and well, that's pretty obvious.

Then there's the costs involved of siting large scale installations off-shore, and the dangers of working in such environments.

On land, wind turbines fair little better, having planning applications routinely objected to or denied.

And some are even claiming detrimental health caused by living too near to existing wind farms.

So are the days of wind turbines numbered? With so much adversity (both human and logistical), it would be easy to assume that.

What do you think?

photo credit: lance cheung

Planning rejections could delay Norfolk offshore wind farm by a year

New Energy Focus reported that a planning application for a substation - a vital component of a proposed 560MW off-shore wind farm off the Norfolk coast - has been rejected by the local council.

This is despite the go-ahead being given to the offshore farm itself as well as the point where the power cabling comes ashore (in a separate application).

The developers will be appealing against the decision on plans which included a 20 acre woodland being planted to hide the development from the surrounding environment, and after the site had been "carefully chosen" over a 100 similar sites under consideration, for the lowest overall environmental impact.

The process of appeal is likely to delay the development by a year, developers admitted.

Read the full article here.

photo credit: tpholland. Note* Not a picture of the actual chambers or council involved in the planning decision surrounding this article.

Lake District wind turbine planning refusal proves renewable is no guarantee

Just because it's renewable doesn't mean it will automatically get planning approval as West Coast Energy have discovered, following a Government ruling to uphold a local council's decision to refuse permission for a wind farm on the edge of the Lake District.

The plan even attracted the likes of Sir Chris Bonington (who I saw speak once in an absolutely spell-binding presentation on some of his climbing expeditions, in the early '80's at a venue in Stevenage) who spoke up in defence of the "iconic" landscape not being developed.

According to the BBC website, the Eden Council Leader is quoted as saying "The council along with other public bodies recognise the need to develop renewable energy sources, but we also recognise the need to protect the unique character of our local landscapes for future generations."

You can read the full article on the BBC website by clicking here.

photo credit: video4net

Despite being green - wind turbines need planning permission

Just because it's green doesn't mean the normal rules and regulations regarding planning and other permissions don't apply.

Take planning permission for Wind Turbines for example.

As the Governments Planning Portal site admits - "the planning regime for installing wind turbines is complex and evolving".

At present, you'll need planning permission from your local authority to place a domestic wind turbine on your house or on the grounds surrounding your home.

Each local authority decides what information it wants to consider your proposal but in general, they'll cover the visual impact, noise, vibration, electrical interference (with TV aerials) and safety.

If you're installing a wind turbine onto the home itself, then building regulations will apply including consideration to the size, weight and force expected to be exerted on the fixing points.

In both cases, free-standing or attached to your house, building regulations will still apply to the electrical part of the installation.

As always, the best advice is check with your local authority before going ahead with anything.

Read the full guidance notes on Planning Portal.

photo credit: fiona macginty

Solar Roof Panels - will I need planning permission?

Will I need planning permission to place Solar Panels on my roof? is a fair question.

Whilst Solar Panel Quoter is not an authority on individual local planning authorities - we would always suggest checking with your local council planning office and/or your solar panel installation company before starting any work - we have been able to gather a few comments on the subject.

Most online information suggests that fitting solar roof panels won't require planning permission providing that the panels are not installed above the roof's ridge line and don't project more than 20cm from roof or wall surfaces.

If you live in a restricted conservation area or your property is a listed property - you'll probably have to still apply for permission first. Specifically with conservation areas, restrictions seem to apply to solar panel installations being visible from the highways.

Of course, renewable energy is encouraged so even if you've been refused planning permission in the past for other projects, don't assume your application for mounting solar panels on your roof will also be rejected.

Here's what Surrey Heath Borough Council have to say about planning permission for solar panels on dwelling houses - click here. Again best advice is to check with your own local authority before any installation.

photo credit: state records NSW