Independent planning consultancy DPP has successfully represented Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council at a Public Inquiry in relation to a refused planning application for a wind energy scheme.

The scheme, promoted by Pennant Wind Energy Ventures, proposed four 101 metre high turbines each generating 1.5MW.  It attracted strong local opposition on the basis of the impact on residential amenity and the visual impact on nearby Blaina and the Cwm Tyleri Valley as well as the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The application was submitted in July 2006 and whilst recommended for approval by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council planning officers, it was refused by Members in January 2009.  Pennant Wind Energy Ventures appealed, seeking a Public Inquiry. Defending the reasons for refusal required specialist technical knowledge and Blaenau Gwent subsequently appointed a team of external consultants, led by DPP.  The Public Inquiry took place in May 2010 and the decision to uphold the refusal was delivered in July.

The Inspector appointed by the Welsh Ministers to lead the inquiry, Mr A D Poulter, noted the qualities of the appeal site as being “attractive, tranquil, exposed, remote and wild” and stated the turbines would have a major adverse impact on those qualities, with the dominance of the wind turbines harming the rural and tranquil character of the upper Cwm Tyleri Valley.  The decision also raised concerns over the stability of the ground as a result of mining activity and the Inspector criticised the lack of evidence from the appellant on ground stability.

Rhian Lees, Senior Planner at DPP said: “The decision to refuse permission both by members and at appeal was a finely balanced one and illustrates the difficulty developers and local authorities face with planning applications for wind energy schemes.  Local authorities will be increasingly asked to rule on often contentious applications for renewable energy schemes and we would expect to see more public inquiries as a result.”

The team was led by Steve Arnold, formerly an Equity Partner at DPP, who is now an independent planning consultant.

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About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial.  DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.

Clients of DPP include Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, University of Chester, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group, DP World and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk