Introduction
Coronation Power has identified Moneylaws Hill an area of land approximately 3kms from Branxton as a possible location to develop a small wind farm. Coronation is undertaking a feasibility study to evaluate the site and its potential impact on the local environment and so has not submitted a planning application to the local planning authority, Berwick-upon-Tweed District Council.

This section provides an overview of the proposed scheme and its current status.

Location

The proposed site at Moneylaws Hill is 2.6kms south-west of Branxton and 6kms south of Coldstream. It is a sparsely populated part of Northumberland though there are a number of farms and dwellings within the immediate area.

Land ownership
The site is owned by a single landowner who is interested in exploring the possibility of a wind farm on his land. The landowner has been paid a nominal sum by Coronation 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, we will pay the landowner a land rental fee on the basis of the number of wind turbines situated on the land. This figure will be based on industry standard fees.

The windfarm proposal
We are presently considering a small wind farm of no more than 6 turbines, with a potential capacity of 18MW. Each turbine would have a maximum height of 125m. It would have the capacity to generate electricity for about 10,000 homes - approximately 85% of Berwick-upon-Tweed's domestic electricity consumption, and would contribute towards meeting the North East region's renewable energy targets for Northumberland (212MW by 2010, North East Renewable Energy Strategy 2005).

The precise number, height and location of the turbines will be finalised once our consultations and technical assessments have been completed and we have decided that this site is viable. A comprehensive environmental impact assessment will also be undertaken as part of the planning development process and prior to a planning application being submitted.

Site Assessment
A study of the proposed site has been commissioned to look at various planning issues such as the local environment, the landscape, local ecology and the archaeology of the surrounding area. As part of the assessment, we are seeking to consult a number of organisations, including Berwick-upon-Tweed District Council (the local planning authority), Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park Authority, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, English Nature, the RSPB, the Environment Agency and the Government Office of the North East.

Given the rural nature of the area, and our own commitment to the environment, we feel that it would be prudent and responsible to examine the scheme's potential impact. The study is being carried out by PMSS Ltd, a leading environmental, health & safety and project development firm based in Bath (www.pmss.co.uk) with extensive experience of similar wind projects.

An erection of an anemometer mast to measure the wind speed and wind direction on the site will be required as part of the evaluation process. Planning permission for the mast will be sought from Berwick-upon-Tweed District Council; an application is likely to be submitted in the second part of this year.

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 will be held whilst we carry out our Environmental Impact Assessment and before a full planning application is made.

As part of our initial scoping work, we are seeking to consult various statutory bodies, including Berwick-upon-Tweed District Council, Northumberland County Council and English Nature. We are also seeking to consult 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.

Your views are important so if possible, please complete the on-line questionnaire: