The Proposal

Bradwell

In January 2010 RWE npower renewables received planning permission from the Government Planning Inspectorate for a ten turbine wind farm development near Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex. The development will produce enough green electricity to meet the average annual electricity demand for up to 10,600 homes FN1.

Following the grant of planning permission, a local objector lodged a legal challenge to the decision in the High Court against the Planning Inspectorate. Judge Frances Patterson QC handed down judgement on Friday 4th March 2011, and rejected the challenge on all grounds. She also refused leave for appeal to the Court of Appeal.

RWE npower renewables Project Manager, Michael Williams commented: “We are absolutely delighted that the judge threw out the challenge. It supports our conviction that the project is well-sited and complies with all of the relevant planning policies, as well as the decision by the Government Planning Inspectorate to grant planning permission in the first instance. The way is now clear for us to proceed with placing contracts for construction of the wind farm. We expect the wind farm to become fully operational in 2012"

Background information

The planning application for Bradwell wind farm was intially refused by Maldon District Council in July 2006. Following an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate by RWE npower renewables the decision went to public inquiry. The first public inquiry was held over a three week period in June 2007 and the wind farm was granted planning permission, by the Planning Inspector, in September of that year.

However, following a legal challenge, planning permission was quashed in June 2008 because of drafting errors in two of the planning conditions. This technicality meant that the application for the wind farm had to go back to the Planning Inspectorate to be re-determined. All of the evidence was presented to a new Inspector who considered the scheme afresh.

The second public inquiry took place over three weeks in November 2009 and was held before a Government Planning Inspector at Cold Norton in Essex. In January 2010 RWE npower renewables was again given consent by the Planning Inspectorate to build the wind farm.

RWE npower renewables is currently working towards meeting the application’s pre-start planning conditions and expects to begin construction later in 2011..