Overview

One of North Energy's specialist areas is Planning Support for projects that contain renewable energy technologies. Our expertise is particularly suitable for wind turbine projects, due to the inevitable complexity of the programme of tasks required to meet the needs of the UK planning system. The type of work required is likely to follow the list of examples shown below.

We have a very experienced in-house planning team, with many years experience of steering the most difficult of projects to a successful planning outcome. If you are considering a project that includes renewable energy technologies, we would be delighted to work with you as your planning partner.

Typical Planning Scenario

Although all planning applications are different, with site specific location requirements dictating the range of work that needs to be done, there is undoubtedly a basic framework that can be anticipated for each case. Using a wind turbine project as an example, we have delivered many such projects - from a single turbine on a factory site to cover the needs of the factory, to a multi unit windfarm for a developer selling the electricity to the national grid.

North Energy has developed a planning service around the typical framework, with bespoke requirements added on as required by each site. An actual example of our planning support work will soon be added to this section of the site.

Our Planning Framework

Our usual planning project work can include the following activities:

• Initial feasibility study - this is a low cost management tool that explores the feasibility of the project before significant expense is committed
• Wind monitoring - it is usually recommended that a period of wind monitoring is carried out, usually 12 months, to satisfy all parties that the wind resource is adequate
• Planning application for wind monitoring mast and supporting equipment
• Liaise with local planning team - it is important to work with your local planning team, and seek their formal scoping and screening requirements for the project
• Photomontage images - we have an in-house team that deliver specialised photomontage images, using dedicated industry standard software to demonstrate the visual impact of your project - very useful to show the planning teams, and vital for public consultation activities
• Environmental Impact Assessment - this will include every potential impact of your project on a wide range of issues - ecology, birds, bats, archaeology; noise impact, shadow flicker, aviation issues, microwave routes, landscape and visual impact, and many more
• Public consultation programme - a planning application must demonstrate that you have sought the opinion of local residents, councillors, and any other interested parties - this can take the form of exhibitions, interviews, surveys, and the publication of the facts and figures of the proposed project in leaflet form etc
• Consultation with various statutory bodies - including RSPB, Natural England, English Heritage, MOD, Civil Aviation Authority, Microwave providers, Highways agency and many more
• Co-ordination of all the above activities into a published Environmental Statement that is formally submitted with the planning application
• Submission of planning application, and subsequent support through the planning process - we do not walk away once the work has been done
• Attendance and representation at any hearings and consultations