Image supplied by David Turnock Architects Ltd.

DPP was first instructed in February 2008 to provide representations to the Council’s wind turbine study which sought to guide the future development of renewable energy in Fenland.  DPP was then instructed to promote a planning application for the erection of five turbines, which are 100m to blade tip, at a site near March in Cambridgeshire.

DPP co-ordinated a multi-disciplinary team to develop this proposal and managed the public exhibition as well as overseeing the production of, and authoring parts of, the Environmental Impact Assessment.  Following detailed negotiations with the Council, their landscape consultants and Natural England, the scheme was revised to three wind turbines. During these negotiations DPP managed to remove objections in relation to landscape capacity/cumulative impact, ecology, turbine siting/layout and impact from nearby settlements.  This left one sole issue – the impact on the visual outlook of nearby dwellings. The Council determined to refuse planning permission on this basis.

An appeal was then lodged and DPP provided evidence to the Inquiry, working closely with the landscape witness to identify the case for the proposal. DPP’s database of appeal decisions also assisted the case as it was possible to outline similar instances to the Inspector of other schemes.  The appeal was conjoined with a larger scheme for 9 wind turbines.  This was a landmark issue locally with cumulative impact being a key consideration.  DPP were able to promote the merits of the scheme on the basis of the amendments that had been made.  It was therefore possible to highlight that changes had already taken place which had sought to mitigate any impacts.

The DPP appeal was allowed in July 2011 by the Secretary of State (the larger scheme was dismissed). In summing up the Inspector and the Secretary of State noted that the DPP scheme has been mitigated by the amendments that had taken place.

Services Provided
• The production of planning, design and access statements and a statement of community involvement;
• Led discussions with the local planning authority, responding to objections from statutory consultees and third parties;
• Represented Fivestone at the planning committee meeting;
• Submission of a detailed proof of evidence and giving evidence at the Public Inquiry.

Acheivements
DPP successfully removed a number of objections in relation to the proposal which meant that the Inquiry was able to be focused upon a sole issue. DPP’s evidence was ultimately accepted by the Secretary of State in allowing the appeal.