RPS Lead the Way in Wind Farm Consent

RPS have been providing Infinergy Ltd with planning and environmental support such as constraints mapping and layout advice for this site since the outset of the project in late 2007. Rebecca Chiazzese (née Quinlan) of RPS project managed the Environmental Impact Assessment and all of the topics in the Environmental Statement were assessed by RPS staff. Key consultants on noise (Darran Humpheson), landscape and visual (Cliff Pullen), historic environment (Charles LeQuesne) and ecology (Dr Keith Jones) attended the public exhibitions last May.

Early constraints mapping work by RPS involved applying Natural England’s interim guidance on the distance between wind turbines and bat habitat, stand off distances from residential properties in order to avoid noise effects, and plotting buffer zones from bridleways.

Charles LeQuesne, RPS Historic Environment Consultant, engaged with English Heritage at the design stage due to the proximity of the site to monastic remains. Based on feedback from this consultation design changes were implemented to reduce the height of the turbines and remove one turbine from the scheme resulting in English Heritage withdrawing their initial objection.

RPS prepared all the planning application documents required for the submission of the scheme to Kettering Borough Council. Adrian Butler of RPS has been providing planning advice to the developer and prepared the documentation for the planning application including the Planning Statement and Design and Access Statement.

Infinergy plan to own and operate the New Albion wind farm. RPS will continue to be involved in the scheme advising on the implementation of various conditions including the design of additional planting linking two woodlands and the creation of several ponds.

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