Saxby Wold Wind Farm Proposal

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RWE npower renewables has resubmitted a planning application to North Lincolnshire Council for a wind farm near the villages of Saxby All Saints, Horkstow, and Bonby.

The resubmission application comes following a review of the proposal after the original application was narrowly turned down by North Lincolnshire’s planning committee on December 15th 2010.

The proposed wind farm comprises 18 wind turbines (up to 125 metres high to the tip) and it is anticipated that these would produce enough renewable electricity to meet the average annual electricity needs up to 21,000 homes.1

The application is supported by a range of environmental studies, covering all aspects of the proposal, from landscape, access, noise levels to wildlife.

The original Saxby Wold Application was consistent with Local Planning policy and was recommended for approval by North Lincolnshire Council Planning Officers. The application also had a significant amount of local support.

We did consider appealing  the original decision, however, at the cost of several hundred thousand pounds in a time of economic uncertainty we took the decision to resubmit the proposal. This will allow time for a more detailed consideration of the wider economic benefits before pursuing the option of an appeal.

Meeting UK targets for renewable energy is a huge challenge and onshore wind farms, such as the one proposed at Saxby Wold, are a vital part of the ongoing effort to tackle climate change.
 
1. The predicted annual generation at the site has been calculated using a capacity factor derived from performance data for wind farms already operating in England. Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal has been calculated using an assumed capacity factor of 26% (DTI Energy Trends UK regional capacity factors 1998- 2004), and is based on an installed capacity of between 36-45 megawatts (MW). The energy capture predicted and hence derived homes equivalent or emissions savings figures may change as site specific information is gathered.