APPENDIX C
Suggested comparative site visit –
Milton Keynes as a comparator to Lenchwick
1
It is helpful and informative for decision makers to study an existing
comparable installation at specified points of similar distances to those
indicated for this project. The principle has become an established part
of many Public Inquiries and local authority determinations.
2
The so-called ‘Milton Keynes’ project was developed by Your Energy
and consists of 7 x 80 + 45= 125m Vestas V90 turbines on gently rising
farmland at Petsoe Manor Farm 3km SE of Olney, Bucks centred on
grid reference SP 918 485 Landranger sheets 152 / 153. The site lies
at about 80m AOD, generally 30m above the broad valley of the River
Great Ouse. Thus, the relationship of the site to its surroundings is
similar, though the relative elevation is slightly less, and the turbines
are roughly the same overall size as those under consideration at
Lenchwick. It is felt that this is the best comparator available within
reasonable travelling distance. After a controversial planning process
the project was given consent by Milton Keynes Council (application
number 06/1349) with turbines erected in June 2010.
Further details may be found at www.miltonkeyneswindfarm.com/ -.
3
The installations may be compared as follows:
Milton
Keynes
Lenchwick
(proposed)
4
No.
Hub height
(m)
Blade length
(m)
Swept area /
turbine (m2)
Overall
height (m)
7
80.0
450
6362
125.0
5
80.0
46.5
6793
126.5
The site location, layout and the ES viewpoints are shown in the
attached ZTV extract from the Milton Keynes windfarm ES, which was
the subject of a similar critique to that included in this assessment. It is
suggested that a site visit could be made to a selection of the
viewpoints which are at comparable distances to those in the ES and
my additional viewpoint A for the present project, as follows. (The
excluded viewpoints in the list below proved to offer no visibility). In
addition, other locations, particularly those closer to the turbines could
be visited and compared.
Further details can be supplied if requested.
VP
km
Location (see attached map)
1
1.6
Petsoe End
2
1.8
Road Junction N of Hardmead
3
2.0
Clay Farm
4
1.5
Minor Rd E of Hardmead
5
2.3
Minor Rd E of Clifton Reynes
6
2.8
Footpath S of Newton Blossomville
7
2.5
Footpath near Chicheley Hall
8
2.7
Honey Hill
9
2.7
Prospect Place
11
2.8
Bridleway E of Sherington
12
2.9
A22 near Astwood
13
3.3
Emberton Country Park
14
3.1
Footpath Olney
15
3.3
Olney Bridge
16
3.7
Turvey Bridge
17
3.9
Weston Road, Olney
18
4.1
Three Shires Way Lavendon
19
4.2
Lavendon
20
5.3
Weston Underwood
21
5.7
Stagsden
22
8.4
Newport Pagnell
23
8.9
Three Shires Way Bozeat
24 10.4 Campbell Park, Milton Keynes
26 13.9 Ampthill Park House