The Isles Wind Farm proposal. Consultation Document Stage One Consultation under Section 42 Planning Act 2008

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2 The Isles Wind Farm proposal Consultatio on Document The Isles Wind Farm proposal Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by: Laura Keetley Consultant AECOM Ltd. Andrew Range Senior Consultantt AECOM Ltd. James Smith Director AECOM Ltd. AECOM Ltd. 1st Floor, One Trinity Gardens, Newcastle, NE1 2HF Telephone: Website: Job No This document is copyright of AECOM Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited.

3 Executive summary

4 Page i Executive Summary E.ON Climate and Renewables (EC&R) is proposing to develop a wind farm, to be known as The Isles Wind Farm, on a site located approximately 1.5km to the east of Newton Aycliffe in County Durham. is defined as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project or NSIP under the Planning Act This is because it will have an electrical output greater than 50MW (megawatts). A Development Consent Order (DCO) is required from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) for the construction and operation of a NSIP. The Planning Act 2008 imposes certain duties on the promoters of NSIPs to consult those who would be directly affected by the proposals, people living in the vicinity of the land proposed for the development, local authorities and a range of statutory bodies and other consultees. This consultation must be carried out before an application for a DCO is submitted to the IPC and responses to consultation must be taken into account by the promoter of the DCO. The intention is that feedback from the consultation will be used to help shape the proposals. EC&R have produced a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) which sets out how people within the vicinity of the land will be consulted before the DCO application is made. EC&R is undertaking a two staged process of consultation and this document provides information to support the first stage of consultation. It sets out an overview of the consultation process and programme that will be used to develop the wind farm proposals, and, for this first stage of consultation, provides: Project design criteria considered to define the potential development. Three initial layouts and visualisations from neighbouring areas to assist the consultation process. EC&R s initial studies have determined there are a number of environmental and technical constraints which preclude wind farm development on certain parts of the site, and the output from these studies is summarised in this document. Based on these studies, it is concluded that The Isles Wind Farm site can accommodate between 25 and 45 wind turbines, giving an installed capacity of between MW, assuming turbines within the range 2 3MW. Within this range, the wind farm would generate enough electricity for between approximately 23,000 and 53,000 homes 1 each year. Three layouts have been prepared to assist the Stage One consultation programme and EC&R is seeking feedback about the development proposals and each of the layouts. This will give consultees the opportunity to raise specific concerns about any of the turbine locations and to provide input and direction to the design of The Isles Wind Farm. Consultation forms for feedback will be available from the 31 st of August and the deadline for comments for this first stage of consultation is the 7 th of October. 1 According to DECC, the average domestic household uses 4,700 KWh of electricity annually.

5 Contents

6 Page ii Contents Executive Summary... i 1 Introduction to The Isles Wind Farm and E.ON Climate & Renewables Introduction Who is E.ON Climate & Renewables? The need for onshore wind farms The Isles Wind Farm site The Isles Wind Farm Site selection The A1 Wind Farm Application process and consultation Consent process Principal requirements of the Planning Act Pre-application consultation guidelines Objectives of the consultation programme Consultation methodology The consultation timescale The Consultation Report Wind farm design criteria Introduction The Isles Wind Farm design criteria The constraints plan Initial layouts Figures Figure 2.1 Site Location Plan Figure 2.2 Site Boundary Plan Figure 3.1 Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) Figure 3.2 IPC Process Diagram Figure 4.1 Location of Neighbouring Dwellings Figure 4.2 Aviation, Infrastructure and Radio Communications Links Plan Figure 4.3 Transport and Public Access Plan Figure 4.4 Surface Water Features Plan Figure 4.5 Land Designation Plan Figure 4.6 Ecology Plan Figure 4.7 Constraints Plan Figure 4.8 Land Available for Development Figure 4.9 Layout A Figure 4.10 Layout B Figure 4.11 Layout C Figure 4.12 Viewpoint Locations Figure 4.13 Viewpoint: Chilton Figure 4.14 Viewpoint: Sedgefield Figure 4.15 Viewpoint: Mordon Figure 4.16 Viewpoint: Newton Aycliffe 5 Stage One consultation programme and community benefits Introduction How to take part in the Stage One consultation Stage One consultation events Documentation to support The Isles consultation process Contacting EC&R Community benefits... 10

7 Introduction to The Isles Wind Farm and E.ON Climate & Renewables 1

8 Page 1 1 Introduction to The Isles Wind Farm and E.ON Climate & Renewables 1.1 Introduction E.ON Climate and Renewables (EC&R) is proposing to develop a wind farm, to be known as The Isles Wind Farm, located approximately 1.5km to the east of Newton Aycliffe in County Durham. The wind farm will be greater than 50 MW (megawatts) and therefore will require a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) or the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. EC&R expects to be in a position to submit an application for a DCO in the winter of 2012/2013. EC&R is required to carry out a formal programme of engagement and consultation with people living in the vicinity of The Isles site, local authorities and a range of other consultees before the DCO application is made. All responses to consultation will be taken into account and used to help shape the wind farm proposals. This document, Stage One Consultation under Section 42 Planning Act 2008 sets out an overview of the consultation process that will be used to develop the wind farm proposals, and, for this first stage of consultation, provides: Project design criteria considered to define the potential development. Initial layouts and visualisations from neighbouring areas to assist the consultation process. This document also contains information about the consultation programme and details of specific communication initiatives that EC&R is implementing. 1.2 Who is E.ON Climate & Renewables? E.ON Climate and Renewables is part of the E.ON Group, one of the world s largest power and gas companies. EC&R is already active worldwide in onshore and offshore wind, solar, biomass and biogas technologies and aims to increase its renewable energy generation capacity from 2.9GW today to around 10GW by EC&R is one of the leading renewable energy generators in the UK and is responsible for developing, constructing and operating renewable energy projects focused on onshore and offshore wind, biomass and marine technologies. EC&R owns and operates 18 operational onshore wind farms. EC&R also owns and operates three offshore wind farms and has consent to build a 230MW offshore wind farm called Humber Gateway, off the east coast of Yorkshire. EC&R is one of the partners in the London Array, which will be the world s largest offshore wind farm when it is completed. EC&R also owns and operates one of the largest dedicated biomass power stations in the UK, the award winning 44MW generation capacity Steven s Croft power station, near Lockerbie, Scotland. EC&R has been operating in renewables since 1991 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing renewable projects. Once a project has a positive planning determination, EC&R will manage the construction and operation of a wind farm project and will also be responsible for decommissioning the wind farm at the end of its planning permission term. EC&R ensures its wind farms are well maintained and has an experienced team of engineers operating and maintaining its wind farm sites. 1.3 The need for onshore wind farms The UK will have to replace a third of its power stations in the next decade, and do it in a way that ensures the lights stay on, that carbon emissions are reduced and that energy is kept as affordable as possible for customers. In order to achieve this, EC&R supports the Government s view that the UK needs a diversity of supply that includes new nuclear power stations, cleaner fossil fuels and renewables, whilst also helping consumers to become more energy efficient. No one energy source holds the answer on its own. This is why EC&R is developing a range of generation methods, with renewable energy sources such as wind, biomass, wave and tidal power working alongside new nuclear and gas. As one of the world s most commercially viable renewable energy technologies, onshore wind will play an important part in the generation mix. The UK has one of the greatest wind regimes of all countries in Europe, so is well placed to make the best of this powerful, natural and free resource.

9 The Isles Wind Farm site 2

10 Page 2 2 The Isles Wind Farm site 2.1 The Isles Wind Farm is located approximately 1.5km to the east of Newton Aycliffe in County Durham as shown on Figure 2.1. The site occupies an area of approximately 11.8km 2 and is bounded to the north by the A189, to the east by Elstob Lane, to the south by Lodge Lane and to the West by the A167. It incorporates land on both sides of the A1(M) motorway and the East Coast Main Line railway. The site boundary is shown on Figure 2.2. The main components of The Isles Wind Farm will be the construction of between 25 and 45 wind turbines, equipment to connect the wind farm to the electricity grid, and access arrangements. The turbines will be between 100m and 126m in height and have rotor diameters of between 80m and 92m. This will allow for turbines rated at 2-3MW capacity. Depending upon the number of turbines, the proposed development would provide an overall installed electrical capacity of between megawatts (MW), which means the wind farm could generate enough electricity for between 23,000 and 53,000 homes each year, make a significant contribution to the Government s targets for renewable energy generation and help to reduce carbon emissions. 2.2 Site selection EC&R selects wind farm sites very carefully and works closely with a range of organisations, takes advice from experts and carries out studies of the local area before progressing a development proposal. The principal issues taken into account in selecting this site include: Wind regime There must be a sufficient wind regime with minimal turbulence at a site to maximise turbine performance. EC&R s existing operational wind farms across the North East indicate there will be sufficient wind regime at The Isles Wind Farm site. The relatively simple and flat topography and lack of tall buildings or extensive woodland areas around and within the site, means turbulence is likely to be minimal thus maximising turbine performance. Distance to neighbouring dwellings Wind turbines need to be located at a distance sufficiently far from neighbouring dwellings to protect residents amenity with regards to noise and shadow flicker. The size of the Isles Wind Farm site will allow for considerable separation distances between neighbouring dwellings and the wind farm infrastructure thus protecting the amenity of the wind farm neighbours. Access to the motorway and trunk road network Access is an important consideration in wind farm site selection as turbine components are delivered via the road network as abnormal loads. Access to The Isles Wind Farm site from the trunk road network is very straightforward. Traffic will enter the site using access options via the A189, the A167 or Elstob Lane. Environmentally sensitive features The implications of locating turbines near environmentally sensitive features and areas need to be carefully considered. The site contains small areas of sensitive habitats, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which runs adjacent to the East Coast Main Line railway and the site is home to a number of protected species. However the sensitivity and distribution of these habitats and species does not preclude the development of a wind farm at the site as these features can be avoided in the design process. Similarly, areas of archaeological interest will be considered in the design process. Connections to the National Grid The availability of spare capacity in the local electricity grid to take power from the wind farm is a significant consideration when selecting potential wind farm sites. It is proposed to connect The Isles Wind Farm to the Norton-Darlington North 132kV Overhead Line. Approximately 7.5 km of underground cable will be used to connect the wind farm. No new overhead lines will be required. Radiocommunications Turbines can affect the operation of radiocommunication infrastructure and adverse effects must be avoided or mitigated. There are a number of radiocommunication systems in the vicinity of the site which will be taken into account in the design stage of the proposed wind farm development. The locations and operational requirements of these systems will not prevent the development of a wind farm at the site. Ground conditions The ground conditions at a site must be suitable for the installation of wind turbines, access tracks and cables. Areas of unstable or unsuitable ground must be avoided and development near surface water features must be carefully considered. There are no ground conditions present at The Isles Wind Farm site which would prohibit the development of a wind farm and whilst there are a number of watercourses intersecting the site, these can be avoided in the design process. 2.3 The A1 Wind Farm The site includes an area which was previously proposed by EC&R for a wind farm known as The A1 Wind Farm. Since EC&R submitted the planning application for The A1 Wind Farm in May 2009, the UK s targets for producing renewable energy have become even more challenging, and this is reflected in the draft National Policy Statements issued by the Government. seeks to optimise the land available for the development of a wind farm in this area, and will result in a greater contribution of low carbon electricity than would have been possible from the former A1 Wind Farm proposal. EC&R has therefore withdrawn the application for The A1 Wind Farm to focus on developing The Isles Wind Farm.

11 Application process and consultation 3

12 Page 3 3 Application process and consultation 3.1 Consent process is defined as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project or NSIP under the Planning Act This is because it will have an electrical output greater than 50MW. A Development Consent Order (DCO) is required from the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) for the construction and operation of a NSIP. On 29th June 2010, the Coalition Government announced plans to abolish the IPC and to replace it with a new body to be called the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit (MIPU) to be responsible for examining (but not determining) NSIP applications. The changes are included within the Government s Localism Bill, currently going through the parliamentary process. Under the proposed revised procedure, the determination of DCO applications would be taken by the Secretary of State, taking into account the MIPU s recommendation. The pre-application requirements, including those relating to consultation, are expected to be similar to those currently in place. The existing system for DCOs will apply until new or transitional arrangements are in place. The following IPC website link provides information about the registration and application process associated with The Isles Wind Farm: Principal requirements of the Planning Act 2008 The Planning Act 2008 imposes certain duties on the promoters of NSIPs to consult those who would be directly affected by the proposals, people living in the vicinity of the land proposed for the development, local authorities and a range of statutory bodies and other consultees. This consultation must be carried out before an application for a DCO is submitted to the IPC and responses to consultation must be taken into account by the promoter of the DCO. The intention is that feedback from the consultation will be used to help shape the proposals. The Planning Act imposes duties of consultation on promoters of NSIPs in the following provisions: Section 47 of the Planning Act sets out the requirement for community consultation. Section 42 of the Planning Act sets out the requirement for consulting local authorities, statutory bodies and certain others with an interest in the land. A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the wind farm proposal will also need to be undertaken, and the Planning Act also requires EC&R to publicise and consult upon certain environmental information referred to as Preliminary Environmental Information. Before an application is made, section 48 of the Planning Act requires details to be published in a newspaper of where the proposed application can be viewed, together with a deadline for responses to consultation. 3.3 Pre-application consultation guidelines Promoters of NSIPs are required to take account of guidance which is issued by the Government and the IPC and which relates to pre-application consultation. The following guidance has therefore been taken into account in the preparation of the consultation strategy for The Isles Wind Farm proposal: The document, Guidance on pre-application consultation, Department for Communities and Local Government, September 2009 sets out a number of principles for pre-application consultation. It notes that the early involvement of local communities, local authorities and statutory consultees can bring the following benefits: To allow members of the public to influence the way projects are developed. To help local people understand better what a particular project means for them. To obtain important information about the economic, social and environmental impact of the scheme from consultees. To enable potential mitigation measures to be considered and, in some cases, built into the project before an application is submitted. It may identify ways in which the project could, without significant costs to promoters, support wider strategic objectives. In addition, the IPC Guidance Note 1 on Pre-Application Stages (Chapter 2 of the Planning Act 2008, Revision 1, 29th March 2010) notes that the IPC will place a high value on: Ensuring the local community and stakeholders have access to all relevant information, including the consultation process. The developer seeking the advice of the local authority with regard to developing a consultation strategy. Ensuring all statutory consultees have an opportunity to influence plans before they are submitted. A range of methods being used during consultation to ensure all groups are reached at an early stage.

13 Page Objectives of the consultation programme The objectives of the consultation for the Isles Wind Farm are to: Inform and educate consultees about in a clear and unambiguous manner. Provide access to information at all stages of the engagement and consultation process so that consultees can develop a well informed understanding of the development proposals. Enable opportunities for views to be made, expressed, understood and recorded and facilitate opportunities for consultees to meet EC&R staff and other members of the project team. Give proper consideration to comments received in the formulation of the proposals, and provide feedback to those who have responded. 3.5 Consultation methodology It is proposed that the overall programme of engagement and consultation will run for approximately 12 months, ending with the submission of the application for the Development Consent Order (DCO) in the winter of 2012/2013. A two stage consultation process will be undertaken to give more scope for feedback. In this first stage views are being sought on a number of potential layouts. This will aid in the development of a preliminary wind farm layout which will then be the subject of the second stage of consultation. National energy policy will be outside of the scope of the consultations. Ultimately, the IPC will determine whether the application should be granted consent taking into account the Overarching Energy and the Renewable Energy Infrastructure National Policy Statements and the specifics of the DCO application. Stage One In this first stage of consultation, views are being sought on a number of possible wind farm layouts, and various constraints criteria are explained to show how these layouts were identified. Responses to Stage One consultation will be taken into account in preparing a preliminary layout for further consultation in Stage Two. Access arrangements, electrical connection and construction management are not being considered at this stage. Stage Two Following consideration and assessment of responses to the Stage One consultation, a preliminary layout of the proposed wind farm will be drawn up. A second stage of consultation will then take place on this layout and other supporting material. This will include information on other aspects of the proposal such as access arrangements, electrical connection and construction management. A more detailed description of the process of community consultation is contained within a separate document, The Isles Wind farm Background to Community Consultation. The purpose of this document is to set out how people within the vicinity of the land will be consulted before the DCO application is made. It includes a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) as required by section 47 of the Planning Act The SOCC will be published in the Northern Echo and will be made available on the dedicated website: A copy of the SOCC is included in Figure 3.1. Consultation on environmental information As an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed wind farm will be required, there will also be a need to consult on Preliminary Environmental Information (PEI) before submitting the DCO application. This is information that will be compiled by EC&R to assess the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed wind farm. Consultation on PEI will take place when sufficient environmental information is available, which is likely to be after the Stage Two consultations. This may coincide with the final consultation requirement to publicise a proposed application under section 48 of the Planning Act. 3.6 The consultation timescale The two stage consultation programme has been prepared taking into account the relevant guidance and with the assistance and agreement of Durham County Council. The main programme milestones are: Summer/Autumn 2011 Start of consultation, information about the consultation events will be released to coincide with the publication of the Statement of Community Consultation. Stage One consultation events will be held, including public exhibitions. Winter 2011/Spring 2012 Information to be released publicising the second consultation stage. Stage Two consultation events will be held, including public exhibitions. Consultation on the PEI will take place at or around the same time. Winter 2012/2013 Anticipated submission of the application for a Development Consent Order. Figure 3.2 illustrates the consultation programme in a schematic form and shows some of the main points when consultations will take place. 3.7 The Consultation Report A Consultation Report will be prepared to provide a record of the formal pre-application consultation and publicity requirements required under sections 42, 47 and 48 of the Planning Act 2008, a summary of the responses received and how relevant responses have been taken into account in shaping the proposals. The Consultation Report will set out and record a general description of the consultation process and a summary of responses to the consultation and information of how the responses were taken into account and the extent to which they led to changes to the proposed development. The Consultation Report will accompany the application for the DCO and provide a means of feedback to those who have contributed to the consultation process.

14 Wind farm design criteria 4

15 Page 5 4 Wind farm design criteria 4.1 Introduction A successful wind farm design seeks to balance energy generation potential with environmental and technical constraints contained within and neighbouring a site. The design of a wind farm evolves in an iterative manner through the identification of known constraints and the application of wind farm design criteria defined by planning policy and guidance, statutory consultee requirements and industry best practice. The design for The Isles Wind Farm site will also be influenced by the responses received during the consultation programme. EC&R has undertaken a number of environmental and technical investigations to identify and understand the principal across The Isles site. This process has identified the areas of land of least constraint which offer the greatest potential for wind farm development. 4.2 The Isles Wind Farm design criteria The following sections provide a summary of the technical and environmental constraints that have been considered at this stage to identify the areas of least constraint. Reference is made to relevant planning policy guidance, best practice and EC&R s requirements, where relevant. Reference is also made to consultations undertaken as part of The A1 Wind Farm application which are considered relevant to The Isles site Neighbouring dwellings Design guidance The minimum separation distance from a neighbouring dwelling is determined by the ability of the wind farm to comply with the strict noise limits that will be applied to the development. Appropriate noise limits are identified through an extensive programme of background noise measurements undertaken at neighbouring dwellings. The noise limits vary between different wind farm sites and between different dwellings at the same site. General guidance and policy concerning noise associated with developments in England is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note PPG 24: Planning and Noise. Advice specific to noise emanating from wind energy developments can be found in Planning Policy Statement PPS22: Renewable Energy; Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22; the draft National Policy Statements for Energy and Renewable Energy Infrastructure; and ETSU-R- 97 The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms. Design consideration A background noise survey has not been undertaken for The Isles Wind Farm site. Consideration of the noise data obtained and analysed as part of the application for The A1 Wind Farm concluded a minimum separation zone of 500m could be applied to dwellings owned by landowners involved in The Isles Wind Farm and a minimum separation zone of 750m to all other neighbouring dwellings. A noise assessment specific to The Isles Wind Farm development will be undertaken prior to the final determination of the proposed layout and as part of the environmental impact assessment to confirm appropriate noise limits and ensure that the wind farm can be operated within the confines of those limits. Regardless of the outcome of the noise assessment, EC&R will commit to maintaining the minimum separation zones detailed above, even if the background noise levels allow turbines to be located closer to neighbouring dwellings. Figure 4.1 illustrates the separation zones applied to the dwellings neighbouring the site Aviation, radiocommunications and infrastructure Design guidance Wind turbines have the potential to cause interference with electromagnetic signals and can affect communication networks, aviation and defence systems. It is therefore necessary to design a wind farm to ensure such infrastructure is not adversely affected. Furthermore turbines should be sited away from certain utilities infrastructure (transmission and distribution lines and pipes) to minimise risks during construction and operation. Guidance relating to the interference to aviation, radio-communications and infrastructure is contained within PPS22: Renewable Energy, Planning for Renewable Energy. The guidance states the following, Specialist organisations responsible for the operation of the electromagnetic links typically require a 100m clearance either side of a line of sight link from the swept area of turbine blades, though individual consultations would be necessary to identify each organisation s safeguarding distance. In relation to air traffic safeguarding the guidance states wind turbines may have an adverse affect on two aspects of air traffic movement and safety. Firstly, they may represent a risk of collision with low flying aircraft, and secondly, they may interfere with the proper operation of radar by limiting the capacity to handle air traffic, and aircraft instrument landing systems. To avoid risk of collision the guidance states, The applicant should take account of the airfield management s requirements, which will depend on local topography and the preferred flight paths at the site. In relation to radar the guidance states: Any large structure is liable to show up on radar, but wind turbines can present a particular problem as they can be interpreted by radar as being a moving object, which is only intermittently seen. Because of this, they might either be mistaken for an aircraft or interfere with the ability of the radar to track an aircraft in the same sector. The effect diminishes with distance, and hence there is a 15km consultation zone, and a 30km or 32km advisory zone around every civilian and military air traffic radar respectively, although objections are often

16 Page 6 raised to developments that lie beyond the 32km advisory zone. Because topography, intervening buildings and even tree cover can mitigate the effect of wind turbines on radar, it does not necessarily follow that the presence of a wind turbine in a safeguarding zone will have a negative effect. However, if an objection is raised by either a civil aviation or Defence Estates consultee, the onus is on the applicant to prove that the proposal will have no adverse effect on aviation interests. Initial consultations Consultation was undertaken with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Durham Tees Valley Airport, Newcastle International Airport and Fishburn Airfield as part of the EIA for The A1 Wind Farm. Durham Tees Valley Airport confirmed the location of a Surface Infringement Zone which lies across the southern part of the site at a height of 185mAOD. The MoD initially objected to the proposed A1 scheme. However this objection was later removed during the determination period. Newcastle International Airport and Fishburn Airfield did not object to The A1 Wind Farm. The Office of Communications (OFCOM) was contacted to identify radiocommunication infrastructure and service providers that might be affected by The Isles Wind Farm. The service providers were consulted directly to establish separation zones for their requirements. A Groundwise report was commissioned for The Isles Wind Farm site to identify the location of utilities and other underground infrastructure across the site and direct consultation was undertaken with Northern Gas Networks and National Grid to establish minimum separation zones from their infrastructure present on the site. Design consideration Aviation The location of the Surface Infringement Zone is shown on Figure 4.2. This is a surface located at 185mAOD. All turbines located under the surface infringement zone have to be limited to a height which ensures the tip in its highest positions is less than 185mAOD. There is no requirement to restrict the height of turbine outside of the Zone. The turbines within the surface infringement zone as shown for consultation purposes have been limited to a maximum tip height of 100m to comply with the Airport s requirements. Turbines outside of the surface infringement zone have been limited to a maximum height of 126m. Radiocommunications The consultation exercise identified that links operated by Cable and Wireless, T-Mobile, JRC and Vodafone cross the site. Survey works were undertaken to establish the exact location of the equipment which allowed EC&R to determine appropriate separation zones for each radiocommunication link. The actual separation zones are shown on Figure 4.2. Infrastructure There are three gas pipelines in the northern part of the site running in a broadly east-west direction. National Grid recommended a minimum separation zone of 132m should be applied to these pipelines. The infrastructure features and their associated separation zones are shown in Figure Roads, railways and public access Design guidance Consideration needs to be given to roads, railways and public access, including Public Rights of Way (PRoW) and bridleways. Guidance is provided within PPS22: Renewable Energy, Planning for Renewable Energy of recommended separation distances between turbines and roads, railways and public access. PPS 22 recommends a minimum distance of at least the maximum height of the turbine for roads and railways, and a minimum separation distance equal to the length of the blade from public footpaths. The Highways Agency Spatial Planning Advice Note SP 12/09 provides guidance for minimum separation distances between wind turbines and trunk roads and motorways. It recommends a minimum separation distance equal to the maximum height of the turbine plus 50m between the turbine and the edge of the carriageway. The British Horse Society (BHS) recommends a minimum separation zone of 200m from bridleways. Initial consultations EC&R consulted the Local Bridleway Group during the EIA for The A1 Wind Farm. The bridleway group users agreed the BHS recommended a 200m separation zone from the bridleway running north/south through The A1 Wind Farm could be reduced to 100m as the wind farm would be visible to users of the bridleway over a large distance giving the horses time to acclimatise to the movement and noise of the turbines. The local bridleway group also suggested improvements to the bridleways within the vicinity of the site which EC&R committed to delivering as part of The A1 Wind Farm development. One of the landowners involved in the scheme has a point to point horse track located near Howe Hills Farm and requested a 200m separation zone be applied to the track. Design consideration EC&R has adopted a roads and railway separation zone which is a maximum height of the turbines plus 10% for the roads and railway. This equates to separation zones of 139m around those features in the area outside of the Aviation Surface Infringement Zone and 110m around features within the Surface Infringement Zone. In addition, the following separation zones have been applied to the motorway and public access routes: A1(M) Motorway 176m

17 Page 7 Bridleways 100m Horse track at Howe Hills Farm 200m Public rights of way 50m Figure 4.3 illustrates the location of the roads, railways, and public access routes which cross the site and their associated separation zones Water environment and ground conditions Design guidance Guidance relating to the water environment and ground conditions is mainly associated with the design of the foundations rather than the proposed locations of turbines. The Environment Agency recommends a minimum separation distance of 10m from main river courses or flood defences. Ground conditions can affect the placement of turbines and the types of foundations used in the construction process and therefore forms a consideration for the design process. Design consideration EC&R has applied a 50m minimum separation zone around all watercourses. A review of available information has indicated there are no ground conditions which could not be overcome through the engineering design works and therefore ground conditions have not influenced the site layout at this stage. The location of surface water features and the associated separation zones are illustrated on Figure Nationally designated land Design guidance There are no specific minimum separation requirements from nationally designated land. Railway Stell Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a narrow strip of land running parallel and adjacent to the western edge of the East Coast Main Line Railway line, in the central section of the site. This SSSI is designated for its ecology and habitats. Preston-Le-Skerne Deserted Medieval Village is a designated Scheduled Monument (SM) and there are a number of listed buildings surrounding the site. Design consideration A separation zone of 500m has been applied to the SM and the listed buildings. A separation zone of 100m has been applied to Railway Stell SSSI. Figure 4.5 illustrates the locations of these designated areas and their separation zones Ecology and ornithology Design guidance The following legislation and guidance is relevant to habitats that may be identified in the study for the proposed Isles site: The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 translate the Habitats Directive (European Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna) into UK law; Bern Convention: The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979; The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000; Hedgerow Regulations 1997; Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006; Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation; and The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). Initial consultations Consultation was undertaken with Natural England, Durham County Council, Sedgefield District Council and Durham Wildlife Trust as part of the EIA for The A1 Wind Farm. Design consideration The site of the proposed Isles Wind Farm supports a number of different habitats including arable, improved grassland, woodland, hedgerows, marshy grassland, neutral grassland and both standing and running water in the form of the River Skerne, Rushyford Beck, Woodham Burn and the network of drains across the site. A number of initial surveys have been undertaken to identify sensitive ecological habitats and species including: Badger Bat roosts, flightlines and foraging areas Breeding bird habitat Wintering bird habitat Great Crested Newt and Otter and Water Vole.

18 Page 8 Different separation zones have been applied to sensitive habitats and species as shown in Table 4.1 and illustrated on Figure 4.6. For legal reason, badger setts cannot be shown on the plan, but a 30m separation zone has been incorporated around all badger setts. Table 4.1 Ecology separation zones 4.4 Initial layouts EC&R has considered the constraints and has designed three layouts as a basis for the Stage One consultation programme. Ecological species / habitat Great Crested Newts Otter and Water Vole Bat Roosts Bat Flightlines and Foraging Areas Woodlands Badger setts Separation zone 250m 50m 400m 100m 100m 30m The three layout designs are: Layout A; 45 turbines located throughout the whole site as illustrated by Figure 4.9. Layout B; 30 turbines positioned as one group located in the central part of the site as illustrated by Figure Layout C; 29 Turbines grouped in distinct clusters located in different parts of the site as illustrated by Figure A series of wireframe and photomontages have been prepared to illustrate how the three layouts could appear from the following viewpoints: Sedgefield; Mordon; 4.3 The constraints plan The constraints and their separation zones have been brought together to form an overall constraints plan for the site (as shown by Figure 4.7). The areas of least constraint or those that offer greatest potential to accommodate turbines are shown in Figure 4.8. Chilton; and The A167 near Newton Aycliffe. The position of the viewpoint locations is shown on Figure The photomontages and wireframes are presented as Figures 4.13 to 4.16.

19 Stage One consultation programme and community benefits 5

20 Page 9 5 Stage One consultation programme and community benefits 5.1 Introduction Three layouts have been prepared to assist the Stage One consultation programme and EC&R is seeking feedback from consultees on the development proposals and each of the layouts. This will give consultees the opportunity to raise specific concerns about any of the turbine locations and to provide input and direction to the design of The Isles Wind Farm. The Stage One consultation programme will help develop the layout which will be used for further consultation in Stage Two which will also include information on other aspects of the proposal such as access arrangements, electrical connection and construction management. 5.2 How to take part in the Stage One consultation During this first consultation process, EC&R will be seeking feedback and opinions on the number of turbines and the initial turbine layouts. Capturing and responding to feedback is an essential part of the pre-application process, particularly when in response to formal consultation on the proposals, but also through general engagement activities which will capture more general views on the project. Participation in the consultation process is therefore strongly encouraged, since views received will be used to help shape the evolution of the proposals and the application for a DCO. 5.3 Stage One consultation events EC&R is undertaking three Stage One consultation events to take information to consultees and to allow them to review the plans, constraints and initial layouts, and to provide an opportunity for discussion and comments regarding the initial layouts. The Stage One Consultation events will take place at: The Xcel Centre Long Tens Way, Aycliffe Business Park, County Durham, DL5 6AP 8 September 2011, 1-8pm Sedgefield Racecourse Racecourse Road, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 2HW 9 September 2011, 1-8pm Chilton & Windlestone Working Mens Club Durham Road, Chilton, DL17 0EY 10 September 2011, 9-2pm A number of consultation events have been arranged to supplement the consultation process. These will provide an opportunity for local communities to learn more about the proposals, provide comments on the proposed scheme and have specific questions answered by a member of The Isles project team. Feedback forms containing specific consultation questions will be available at the consultation events. If you are unavailable to attend the events a questionnaire can be either completed online through the dedicated website and or a hard copy obtained by calling our dedicated telephone line. Details are provided in Section 5.5. Forms will also be available at the locations detailed in Section 5.4. Consultation forms online and in hard copy format will be available from 31st August NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR RECIEPT OF COMMENTS FOR STAGE ONE CONSULTATION IS 7 TH OCTOBER 2011.

21 Page Documentation to support The Isles consultation process Documents relating to The Isles Wind Farm will be available at the following locations throughout the consultation process. They will also be available to download at the dedicated website. 5.6 Community benefits EC&R will provide a voluntary community benefits package which will help fund ventures for the local community in the vicinity of the wind farm. This package is dependent on the wind farm being built and will commence upon operation and continue throughout the lifetime of the wind farm. The local community would decide how it was spent. Ferryhill Library North Street Ferryhill County Durham DL17 8HX Chilton Library Durham Road Chilton Ferryhill County Durham DL17 0EX Spennymoor CAP Council Offices Green Lane Spennymoor County Durham DL16 6JQ Shildon Library Church Street Shildon County Durham DL4 1DU Sedgefield Library Front Street Sedgefield Stockton-on-Tees Cleveland TS21 3AT Newton Aycliffe Library Central Avenue Newton Aycliffe County Durham DL5 5QG Community benefits fund EC&R will contribute a minimum of 3,000 per MW of installed capacity into a community fund for a 50MW scheme. EC&R recognise that a larger scheme can benefit from scale efficiencies, and will therefore design the community fund to take account of this. So for a 115MW scheme, EC&R will contribute a minimum of 4,000 per MW of installed capacity into the community fund. Similar community benefit funds have been established at the E.ON Great Eppleton Wind Farm in Houghton-le-Spring, Butterwick Moor near Sedgefield and Haswell Moor near Haswell Plough. These funds are administered and managed by the County Durham Community Foundation with decisions on spending made by the local community. Services and jobs in the area In addition, The Isles Wind Farm has the potential to bring increased demand for local goods and services during the development and construction phases of the project. If development consent is granted EC&R would look to use local expertise and resources to carry out work associated with constructing the wind farm. Examples include: concrete for foundations safety consultants 5.5 Contacting EC&R You can register your interest before the start of the consultation on 31 August and contact EC&R directly though the following means: Telephone: theisles@eon-uk.com stone for foundations and access tracks electrical skills project management consultants fencing haulage of turbine components landscaping handling cranes security lorries accommodation Dedicated website: