Unity Wind Ltd
The Flint House, Felbrigg Road, Roughton, NR11 8PA
Telephone: 01263 761471
Email: info@UnityWind.com
Annual Report, March 2011
This year has seen continued progress in the long and tricky process to evaluate the impact of the turbines before we can submit our planning application this summer.
To re-cap briefly, the pre-planning work entails professional analysis of wind speeds, grid connections, the noise produced, the ecological impact, the visual impact, any electromagnetic interference or shadow flicker, and a transport survey to show how the turbines get to the site. In addition we need to liaise with airports, the MOD and other bodies to be sure the turbines will cause no problems. ( Wind speeds and grid connections were completed last year.)
Before listing the events of the year , it seems appropriate to introduce the team and advisors carrying out the work.
Directors
Barry Groom, an electrical engineer who has worked in the wind industry for many years and presently is with Eon
Hetty Selwyn, an Environmental Consultant, who worked at the District Council and is still consulted by them.
John Swindells, a computer expert with his own wind turbine.
Simon Brocklehurst has his own wind turbine and business.
Peter Crouch and David Spencer, both self-employed carpenters, who have served on their local councils and are involved with other local charities.
Roger Hopkinson, a member of the North Walsham Local Area Partnership, who worked at the District Council, and is involved with an environmental charity.
Alicia Hull, a retired teacher and secretary, who initiated the project.
Advisors
Jan Sorrel, a chartered accountant, has produced accounts for the FSA.
Chris Bradshaw, a civil engineer working in the wind farm industry, has considerable experience of installing turbines.
David and John Mack, local wind farm developers.
The year’s progress
1) The Ecological Impact survey is being carried out by Wildlife Ecology Limited. It started last April and entails a year long study. So far nothing has been identified which might hinder our project. This survey is being paid for by the NatureSave investment together with the insurance money for our damaged met mast.
2) In July, we were successful in getting a grant of £6,257 from the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation, for the Noise Survey. This was carried out by Acousitc Associates Ltd. Two Enercon 82 turbines were chosen, after our last AGM, because they are the quietest. The noise report showed that, at the sites we were proposing, noise levels from these turbines would be within the guidelines for the nearest properties, and below ambient noise levels.
However, at a meeting last October at the Kennels, the nearest property, the owners described their hostility to the scheme, and particularly their worries about noise. So we have managed to move the turbine nearest to them a bit further away. We may need another noise measurement at the new position.
3) Barry Groom has carried out the surveys for electromagnetic interference and shadow flicker, saving us considerable money. There are many electronic sight lines across our site, which meant we had to move the position of the turbines slightly to accommodate them. We also had to avoid a high pressure gas pipe across the site.
4) Shadow flicker could affect one property. It will be avoided by incorporating computer controls to stop the turbine turning on sunny days, while the sun moves through the relevant arc.
5) Despite a number of applications, we have failed to get any grant help or substantial investments to cover the costs of the visual impact and transport surveys. We are out of time on this route, as we need to get our planning application in before the option runs out in December this year to avoid paying for an extension.
Matthew Criddle contacted Energy4All on our behalf to obtain pre-planning finance. However, when Alicia investigated the information they wanted before deciding whether to help, this was very similar to the information needed for our planning application. So the decision was taken to proceed as before. We intend to apply to Energy4All for help with share allocations after gaining planning consent.
6) We are carrying out the Visual Impact survey ourselves. Simon Brocklehurst, John Swindells and Hetty Selwyn are working on it. This is possible because Andy Hilton has lent us the necessary software for photomontages, David Mack has produced a zone of visual impact (ZVI) map for us, David and his father John have advised us how to proceed using the Guidelines of the Landscape Institute. Also Fiona Fyfe of Living Landscapes has offered to advise us on the sites we investigate.
7) The transport survey is still under discussion. We will need some professional input to determine the route the turbines will take. Chris Bradshaw has been advising us. We may be able to get this from MDF, a local firm used by other wind farm developers, at a very reasonable rate.
8) Hetty Selwyn has started writing the planning application, with advice from Chris Bradshaw.
9) We have only taken part in one activity not related directly to preparing for our planning application. This was the Renewable UK East of England Planning Seminar at Wisbech on 14 September. We were invited to speak about our project. Simon and Alicia attended. The day was focussed on planning officers, particularly promoting on shore wind. Unfortunately no one from North Norfolk District Council attended. The benefit of the meeting for us was the people we met - John and David Mack who are applying to put up a turbine nearby, after a failed attempt several years ago. Their experience and advice has been invaluable. We also met James Beale of Renewables East, from whom we can get help if we run into problems during negotiations for the planning applications.
10) Membership has increased through the year by thirty-five, mostly in the last few months. We are currently trying to get more local members to prove support for the project.
Alicia Hull, Company Secretary March 2011