Beacon

ADDENDUM TO THE ARUP LANDSCAPE CAPACITY STUDIES

 Plaque

In August 2008 Arup issued its report on Wind Farm Development and Landscape Capacity Studies: East Durham Limestone and Tees Plain.  This report looked at the potential visual impact of wind farms in the relevant areas and, amongst other things, defined a "least impact area" and suggested the size of wind farms that might be accommodated in each of twenty-seven individual zones.  For example, Arup's assessment was that the largest wind farm typology potentially acceptable in zone 24 – which includes Sadberge, Bishopton and Stillington – was 'Small - Medium Small'; i.e. 4 - 6 turbines.

The Association of North East Councils (ANEC) subsequently commissioned Arup to produce an Addendum to the Landscape Capacity Studies report.  This Addendum, which assesses the potential visual impact of different combinations of the wind farms currently being proposed for the Tees Plain, was issued in October 2009.

Key points from the Addendum are summarised below.  Direct quotes from the Addendum are shown in italics.

Note 1:  The wind farms considered for the various scenarios were the A1 wind farm (10 turbines), the Moor House wind farm (10 turbines), the East Newbiggin wind farm (9 turbines) and the Foxton Lane wind farm (3 turbines).

Note 2:  The Addendum states that "the assessment of the potential level of significance of the effects on visual receptors is not intended to replace the more detailed cumulative assessment which would be undertaken as part of planning application for any of the proposed sites" and that "screening from vegetation, topography and built form have not been taken into account unless it is absolutely clear that visibility is not possible".

A1 Wind Farm

Overall the level of development proposed at [the A1 wind farm] exceeds the capacity of the landscape identified in the main study.

All of the turbines associated with the proposed A1 wind farm development apart from one are located within the "Least impact" area identified by the main study.  So one of the proposed A1 wind turbines is located outside the Least Impact area.

Moor House Wind Farm

The main study identified that the largest wind farm typology potentially acceptable in [the zone containing Moor House] was small - medium small, i.e. development of between 7.5 - 18 MW or 4 - 6 turbines approx.  Overall the level of development proposed at [Moor House] exceeds the capacity of the landscape identified in the main study.

All of the turbines associated with the proposed Moorhouse development apart from two are located within the "Least impact" area identified in the main study.  So two of the proposed Moor House wind turbines are located outside the Least Impact area.

East Newbiggin Wind Farm

The main study identified that the largest wind farm typology potentially acceptable in [the zone containing the East Newbiggin wind farm] was small - medium small, i.e. development of between 7.5 - 18 MW or 4 - 6 turbines approx.  Overall the level of development proposed at [East Newbiggin] exceeds the capacity of the landscape identified in the main study.

In the main study [the zone containing East Newbiggin] was identified as having none / limited suitability for (further) wind farm development, based on a high level review of the availability of technically unconstrained land and cumulative visibility issues.

Cumulative Impact

Turbines at [Moor House and East Newbiggin] would be located in close proximity on two sides of Sadberge.

In all of the scenarios involving construction of a wind farm at either Moor House or East Newbiggin (or both), the maximum potential visual impact on 'visual receptors' in Sadberge is assessed as Severe, which is the worst category of impact.  (The visual impact categories go Severe, Severe / Major, Major, Major / Moderate, Moderate, Minor, Negligible.)

One of the principal findings of the report is that "Development of [the Moor House wind farm and the East Newbiggin wind farm] would result in potentially unacceptable effects on Sadberge".

You can use this link to return to the Sadberge web site home page.