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Introduction
Coronation Power has identified Bickham Moor, an area of farm land approximately 4km north of the village of Rackenford as a possible location to develop a small wind farm. Coronation Power has conducted a feasibility study to further evaluate the site and its potential impact on the local environment. A planning application was submitted to the local planning authority, Mid-Devon District Council in November 2007.
This section provides an overview of the proposed scheme and its current status.
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Location
The proposed site at Bickham Moor is 8.5km north-west of Tiverton and 4km north of Rackenford. It is a sparsely populated part of Mid-Devon although there are a number of farms and dwellings within the immediate area. The site occupies an approximate total area of 27 hectares, although the actual scheme, if taken forward and approved, would only occupy a small percentage of this.
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Why Here
This site has a high wind speed, is close to a grid connection, far from highly populated residential areas and has good access to the site making it a good location for a small wind farm.
Land Ownership
The site is owned by a local farmer who is interested in exploring the possibility of a wind farm on his land. He has been paid a nominal sum by Coronation Power to have an exclusive option agreement on the land.
If we decide to proceed, are successful in getting planning permission and then build and operate the wind farm, the landowner will receive an annual land rental fee based on a percentage of the total revenue generated by the wind farm, as is industry standard.
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The Wind Farm Proposal
We are presently considering a small wind farm of no more than 4 turbines, with a potential capacity of 12MW. Each turbine would have a maximum height of 110m. It would have the capacity to generate electricity for about 6,300 homes - approximately 20% of Mid-Devon's domestic electricity consumption, and would contribute towards meeting Devon's renewable energy targets (150MW by 2010, Devon Structure Plan).
The precise height and location of the turbines has been finalised as our consultations and technical assessments have been completed and we have decided that this site is viable. A comprehensive environmental impact assessment was undertaken as part of the planning development process and prior to a planning application being submitted.
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Site Feasibility Assessment and Environmental Scoping
An independent study of the proposed site was commissioned to look at various planning issues including the local environment, landscape, local ecology and archaeology of the surrounding area. As part of the assessment, we consulted a number of organisations, including Mid-Devon District Council (the local planning authority), North Devon District Council, Devon County Council, Exmoor National Park Authority, English Nature, the RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and the CPRE. Given the rural nature of the area, and our own commitment to the environment, we felt that it would be prudent and responsible to examine the scheme's potential impact. The study was carried out by PMSS Ltd, a leading environmental, health & safety and project development firm based in Bath with extensive experience of similar wind projects www.pmss.co.uk.
An anemometer mast to measure the wind speed and direction at the site has been necessary as part of the evaluation process. Planning permission for the mast was given by Mid-Devon District Council in September 2006.
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Public Consultation
Local consultation is an integral part of our planning and development process and we are happy to share our plans, listen to people's views, and if appropriate amend our plans accordingly. An exhibition of our plans was held on 3-4 October 2007 at the Rackenford Club, Rackenford, Devon.
As part of our initial scoping work, we consulted various statutory bodies, including Mid-Devon District Council, Devon County Council and English Nature. We also consulted various commercial firms and public bodies about potential electro-magnetic and air safety issues, such as the MoD, Home Office, the mobile phone companies, NATS and the CAA while carrying out our Environmental Impact Assessment which is publicly available now that we have submitted a full planning application.
Your views are important so if possible, please complete the on-line questionnaire:
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| Please note that further information will be added to the site but if you have any questions or comments, please email us at info@coronationpower.com
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