FINDING A NOISE CONDITION THAT WORKS
RES' application to vary the noise condition at Den Brook Wind Farm has been formally registered by West Devon Borough Council. The noise condition was originally imposed as part of the planning permission upheld by the Court of Appeal, and applies to a particular type of noise called Amplitude Modulation (AM), or 'blade swoosh'.
Dan Leahy, RES Project Manager, says: "Like everyone else, we want a robust and reliable means of measuring AM at Den Brook. Working with noise experts, we believe we have pinpointed the problem and we know how to fix it. However, we have to ask the Council's permission to vary the condition, which is why we have lodged this application."
More information on our News page.
NEWS
April 2013 -
RES LODGES FORMAL APPLICATION TO VARY NOISE
CONDITION
The application by renewable energy company RES to vary the noise condition for Den Brook Wind Farm has been formally registered by West Devon Borough Council. The noise condition was originally imposed on the nine-turbine wind farm as part of the planning permission upheld by the Court of Appeal, and applies to a particular type of noise called Amplitude Modulation (AM), or 'blade swoosh'.
Since the Court of Appeal ruling, RES has spent several months monitoring background noise levels at other rural wind farm sites and running the data through the parameters set by the High Court. The results of these tests consistently show that excess AM, as defined by the current condition, is present even at locations where there are no wind turbines. RES likens this situation to a policeman registering speeding motorists on his speed gun even when there are no cars there.
"We were very concerned when we discovered that the noise condition wasn't working properly," explains Dan Leahy, RES Project Manager. "Like everyone else, we want a robust and reliable means of measuring AM at Den Brook Wind Farm. Working with a number of noise experts, we believe we have pinpointed the problem and we know how to fix it. However, we have to follow due process and ask the Council's permission to vary the condition, which is why we have lodged this application."
RES shared its concerns regarding the AM planning condition with members of the Den Brook Community Liaison Group at a meeting on 12 October 2012 and has since addressed a public meeting organised by West Devon Borough Council on 6 March 2013 at which it explained the problem and proposed solution.
The documents relating to the application to vary the noise condition can be accessed on the West Devon Borough Council website [http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/2368/Search--Track-Planning-Applications] or through the Planning Portal using planning reference number 00393/2013.
A decision on the noise condition variation is expected in the summer of 2013, but ultimately this timescale may be subject to change.
March 2013 -
NEW LINK ROAD AT WHIDDON ROAD JUNCTION IS APPROVED
Renewable energy company RES has welcomed the decision by West Devon Borough Council to approve plans for a new link road outside Whiddon Down, on the A30 between Exeter and Okehampton. The new link road will connect the A382 and A3142 on the Exeter side of Whiddon Down and improve visibility and safety at the junction. It forms part of the access route for Den Brook Wind Farm, which has already received full planning permission.
Providing the new link road is one of several commitments that RES has made to investing in the local communities around the Den Brook Wind Farm. Others include the provision of a community benefit fund of £36,000 per year once the wind farm is fully operational, which local people can invest in local good causes. The company has also pledged to introduce a habitat improvement programme at the wind farm site, which includes re-planting or repairing approximately 1500m of hedgerow, introducing grassland conservation areas, and installing bird and bat boxes to encourage greater diversity in the local plant and animal populations.
Work will start on the Whiddon Down link road in late 2013/early 2014 and last approximately 5 months.
June 2012 -
RES SUBMITS PLANNING APPLICATION FOR WHIDDON ROAD
JUNCTION
RES has applied to West Devon Borough Council for full planning permission to construct a new link road between Exeter Road (A382) and the A3124 on land in the Whiddon Down area, approximately 10 km south east of Okehampton, West Devon. The junction is intended to improve the turning between the A382 and the A3124 to the east of Whiddon Down and is being proposed by RES as part of the general access improvement works for the Den Brook Wind Farm. If approved, the junction will form part of the designated route to site and will mean that construction delivery traffic approaching from the A30 does not have to pass through the village.
See our new page entitled Roadworks at Whiddon Down for further information.
ACTION FOR RENEWABLES PANORAMA REBUTTAL
Action for Renewables has produced a video rebutting the claims made in the BBC's recent Panorama programme "What's fuelling energy price rises?". The video is presented by the Chair of A4R, Tony Juniper, and can be found below:
12 May 2011 -
WINDFARM WARS DOCUMENTARY - FIND OUT MORE
RES has participated in the BBC documentary Windfarm Wars, the
first episode of which is being shown on Friday 13th
May. The series follows the development and planning of Den
Brook wind farm over a number of years and shows the detailed
process that wind farm applications have to go through, often with
costly legal challenges and delays. It tells an interesting story
about the debate that surrounds the development of renewable energy
in the UK - the choices we have to make when balancing changes to
the local landscape with addressing big issues like climate change
and keeping the lights on.
We went to great lengths to consult openly and widely with the
local community to develop a good, low-impact project with minimal
impacts that could bring important economic and environmental
benefits. To find out more, follow the Youtube link at the
top of the page and visit our Den Brook Facebook page. There
is also a lot of detailed information on the wind farm proposal on
this website.
Media contact: Alison Jones, Community Relations Manager: +44 (0)1923 299328 |
11 December 2009 -
RES WELCOMES APPROVAL OF DEN BROOK WIND FARM
RES UK & Ireland has welcomed the Planning Inspectorate's
decision today to approve the nine turbinewind farm at Den Brook in
Devon following a second public inquiry into the scheme earlier
this year.
Click here to
read our press release (PDF)
23 July 2009 -
DEN BROOK WIND FARM PUBLIC INQUIRY COMMENCES
Planning Inspector to hear case for 9 turbines in West Devon
On the day that the public inquiry for the Den Brook Wind Farm starts in Okehampton, RES has given details of how the project will bring positive benefits to the local people of West Devon as well as to the wider environment.
24 March 2009 -
RELEASE OF NEW INFORMATION CONFIRMS DEN BROOK WIND FARM WILL NOT
CAUSE A NOISE NUISANCE
RES has today released new data relating to the noise impact of the Den Brook Wind Farm proposed for North Tawton in Devon.
March 2009 -
Supplementary Environmental Information submitted to Planning
Inspectorate
RES has voluntarily carried out further noise monitoring and is
making this information available, together with wind speed data
recorded at the site since August 2004.
July 2008 -
Media Statement
Noise Issue to be Resolved Fully at Den Brook Public Inquiry.
July 2008 -
Media Statement
Den Brook wind farm will not cause noise nuisance for local residents.
February 2007 -
RES WELCOMES APPROVAL OF DEN BROOK WIND FARM
The project will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of over 10,000 homes - or half of West Devon - and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. It will also bring local benefits including a £27,000 a year community fund
November 2006 -
DEN BROOK WIND FARM WILL BRING ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS
TO LOCAL PEOPLE
On the day that the public inquiry for Den Brook wind farm starts in Okehampton in Devon, RES has given details of how the project will bring positive benefits to the local people of Devon as well as to the wider environment.
May 2006-
RES WELCOMES TOWN COUNCIL'S VOTE NOT TO OPPOSE DEN BROOK WIND
FARM
RES has welcomed the decision last week by North Tawton Town Council not to oppose the Den Brook wind farm when it goes to Appeal later this year.
May 2006 -
RES TO APPEAL DEN BROOK WIND FARM DECISION
RES has announced today that it will appeal against the refusal by West Devon Borough Council in January this year of the Den Brook wind farm planning application. The proposed nine-turbine project will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of around half of West Devon and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas.
January 2006 -
DEN BROOK DECISION: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTION ON
CLIMATE CHANGE
The nine-turbine project would have generated electricity
equivalent to the annual
needs of around half of West Devon and reduced emissions of carbon
dioxide, the
main greenhouse gas.
August 2005 -
ASA RULES IN FAVOUR OF RES ON DEN BROOK WIND FARM BENEFITS
RES has today welcomed an adjudication by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)2 that public information circulated to local residents about the scheme was accurate.
September 2005 -
Harnessing the power of the wind at Den Brook
June 2005 -
DEN BROOK WIND FARM DEVELOPER RECOGNISED BY THE QUEEN
RES has won acclaim for its responsible approach to wind farm
development and its commitment to the environment. The company has
been awarded a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable
Development category - the most prestigious business award in the
UK.
Click here to read our press release (PDF)
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