Welcome Welcome and thank you for taking the time to come to this information session for our proposed Denzell Downs wind farm. Update: In 2011 Cornwall Council s Planning Committee granted permission for a five turbine wind farm at Denzell Downs, outside St Eval. Unfortunately, this democratic decision is the subject of an ongoing legal challenge. This legal action is being taken against the Council and their processes, but not against the proven merits of the wind farm plans. This is delaying both the production of muchneeded renewable electricity and financial support to the local community. We have decided to submit an identical application to minimise the delay. MEMBERS OF THE REG WINDPOWER PROJECT TEAM ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. Site History Timeline: 2009 We announced initial plans for a wind farm at Denzell Downs and presented two different layouts. 2011 In January 2011 we displayed the revised scheme for five wind turbines. In autumn 2011 Cornwall Council s planning committee approved the proposals. 2012 A legal challenge was launched against Cornwall Council s decision making processes. 2013 We hope to submit the same plans for a fresh decision by the Council. REG Windpower Ltd The company was among the UK s original renewable energy trailblazers, starting life as Cornwall Light and Power back in 1989. We changed our name to REG Windpower in 2010, to reflect our expanding nationwide business. Image taken at our Goonhilly site We remain very proud of our Cornish roots and Truro - where we employ 14 permanent staff - remains at the centre of our operation. We now operate 12 wind farms around the country. In Cornwall this includes: l Goonhilly Wind Farm l Roskrow Barton Wind Farm l St Breock Wind Farm
Wind Energy Wind power reduces the levels of harmful emissions into our atmosphere by displacing electricity generated through coal-fired power stations. Not only do wind farms require no fuel because the wind is freely available, the UK is also the windiest country in Europe. Wind power has a number of benefits: Image taken at our Goonhilly site Renewable: Wind energy helps contribute toward the UK s legally binding target of generating 15% of our total energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Reliable: An average onshore wind turbine generates electricity around 85% of the time over the course of a year. This compares favourably with other forms of large-scale electricity generation. Small Footprint: The energy consumed in the construction, transportation and operation of a wind turbine is typically paid back in less than one year. Wind turbines have a minimal impact on local biodiversity and land use compared to other forms of large-scale electricity production. Temporary and Recyclable: Wind farm planning permission usually lasts for 25 years. At the end of its operating life a wind farm can be removed more quickly and easily than other large-scale forms of electricity generation and the land restored to its previous use and appearance. Typically, 80% of a modern wind turbine can be recycled. Rapid Deployment: A small wind farm does not take long to build - around 6 to 9 months - or dismantle at the end of its life. Secure and Independent: Wind power can help reduce the UK s dependency on any one resource, country, or technology. This is important because the UK s electricity demands are increasing and our reserves of fossil fuels are depleting.
The Site The site is located at Higher Denzell Farm, approximately 2 km south east of St Eval in the parish of Mawgan in Pydar. It is south of an existing wind farm at Bears Downs. Why this site? Finding the right site for a wind farm is a complex process. We always strive to ensure our projects have the least possible impact on the local area. Denzell Downs has many advantages which make it an excellent site for the generation of renewable electricity. Not only does it have a good wind resource, but also the area is not designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or other locally designated landscape. Access to the site is good and the wind farm can be connected to the electricity network.
The Proposals This is an identical proposal to the wind farm that was granted planning permission by Cornwall Council in 2011. The proposal consists of five turbines each measuring a maximum of 100m to the tip of the blade. On the site, we would build a small electricity substation to connect the electricity from the wind farm to the distribution network. Typically this would be the size of a large double garage. The land consists of an area of high ground known as Denzell Downs, the summit of which is at 185m Above Ordinance Datum (AOD). Turbines 1 and 2 would be located on the west facing slope and turbines 3, 4 and 5 would be located on the south facing slope. Building a wind farm of this size usually takes around six to nine months from start to finish. If our application is approved we could begin generating safe, cleaner, renewable energy from a renewable and free resource in 2014-2015. The wind farm would have a total capacity of 10MW and could generate approximately 30.5 million units of electricity every year on average, enough renewable power to meet the equivalent needs of more than 7,000 homes. 1 This is enough electricity to meet the equivalent needs of all the homes in St Eval, St Ervan, St Issey, Mawgan - in - Pydar and Colan more than twice over. 2 1 Figures based on installation of 2MW turbines, onsite wind data and average domestic electricity consumption in the UK for 2011 provided by DECC. 2 Based on 2011 Household census data showing 2,598 households in these five parishes. Data provided by the Office of National Statistics.
The Studies In addition to the feedback received from the previous exhibitions, we completed a range of technical studies to support the best possible wind farm project. These included: l Conducting a detailed assessment of the ecology local to the site l Producing a landscape and visual impact assessment report l Examining nearby cultural heritage and archaeology l Producing a noise assessment based on background noise levels l Determining the most suitable access route to the site These studies in our 2011 application were considered by a large number of organisations with wide ranging areas of expertise and interest. There were no objections to the previous application from: l Highways Development Group l Environment Agency l Innovative Acoustics (the Council s acoustic advisor) l Ramblers Association l Natural England l NATS safeguarding l Newquay Airport l Ministry of Defence Landscape and visual impact: We undertook this assessment from viewpoints agreed with Cornwall Council. All the photomontage work will be available online once the application has been submitted. We have pod sized photomontage work available for you to view here today. A full Environmental Impact Assessment will be submitted with the new planning application. Statutory bodies will have a fresh opportunity to assess the site. Turf hedges within the site
The Studies Key technical information Wildlife: We have completed a detailed assessment of the ecology local to the site. As well as identifying the range of flora and fauna in existence, the work has allowed us to determine the improvements we can make to ensure biodiversity continues to thrive. Our scheme includes generous buffers to ensure that local habitats are protected. We would also deliver enhancements including: l Repairing and enhancing the existing hedgerows, and planting additional Cornish hedges and trees which are characteristic of the area l Creating a new pond beside the Country Wildlife site to improve and enlarge this projected area l Increasing bird and bat activity from current levels by creating new feeding resources and provision of bird and bat boxes in the tree near the site Stone-faced and vegetated Cornish hedges within the site Cultural Heritage and Archaeology: We have examined the cultural heritage and archaeology around Denzell Downs. This has shown that Denzell Downs was a culturally significant location in the Neolithic and early Bronze Ages. Our work has concluded that nearby cultural heritage and archaeology would be in no way affected by our scheme. However, we will keep a watching brief during construction. We would also provide interpretation boards at the site to provide visitors with information on the archaeology and cultural heritage of the area, as well as on the wind turbines at Denzell Downs. Sound Levels: We have produced a full sound power level assessment that demonstrates the scheme would operate according to strict legal national guidelines. Site access: The proposed site access by road is on the western edge of the site, via a gate on the road to Higher Denzell Farm. A detailed transport plan for construction of the five turbines will be submitted to the Council. Neighbours will be notified when transport of large components is going to happen and an escort would be provided for the vehicles. Usually it takes no more than 2 days to deliver each turbine, including all the large parts. Grid connection: The turbines would be connected to the substation via underground cables. The cabling routes would follow the route of the access tracks. The District Network Operator (Western Power Distribution) would be responsible for connecting the substation to the electricity network. Bronze Age Barrow on ploughed agricultural land on high ground within the site
Community Benefits Whenever we develop a new wind farm we try to ensure the local community has the opportunity to share in some of the financial and social benefits of having a wind farm in the area. We will always try to provide opportunities for local contractors and suppliers during the construction and 25 year operation of the wind farm. Following Cornwall Council s decision to grant planning permission for the wind farm, we agreed a Community Fund scheme which will ensure support for good causes in the local area throughout the scheme s working life. If there are projects you feel should be supported, please let us know. As well as generating significant quantities of safe, cleaner, renewable electricity every year, the wind farm would also bring additional benefits to the local area. If we build the wind farm we will also provide: l New hedge and tree planting programme to encourage native species and enhance local habitats l New bird and bat boxes to help sustain local wildlife population l Improved signage for enhanced public right of way routes around the site A 2CV open day held at our Goonhilly site
Next Steps Thank you for coming today and we hope that you have found the information update useful. We hope to submit a planning application by the end of May 2013. We will be summarising responses from local people in a report which will be submitted to Cornwall Council as part of the new planning application. In order for your feedback to be included in the report, the project team must receive your comments by Friday 17th May. Comments received after this date will still be reviewed and we will write back to you where possible. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK QUESTIONS AT A LATER DATE PLEASE Freephone: 0800 458 6976 or text: 07797 806357 Email: denzell@yourshout.org Or visit the project website