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Heckington is a large Village in South of Lincolnshire on the East Coast of England and close to the Wash in the North Sea. The Parish of Heckington Fen is situated 3 miles East of the Village in the surrounding rural area and supports a population of a few hundred with most residents of some 4,000 living in the Village.
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Heckington Fen Windfarm Introductory post
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#2
pat 
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Posted 21 August 2009 - 10:54 AM
Hi all
We have had a look at the ecotricity website and by the look of it the amount of power they wish to generate would double the size of the wind turbines this company have. As quoted on their website "our biggest wind park to date'. looking at the calculations of other wind parks we could be getting around 50-60 of these things on our doorstep.
Would like to know more!
We have spoken to North Kesteven this morning and they said that the initial planning is not valid and waiting for more information.
Hope more become involved with this!
Pat
We have had a look at the ecotricity website and by the look of it the amount of power they wish to generate would double the size of the wind turbines this company have. As quoted on their website "our biggest wind park to date'. looking at the calculations of other wind parks we could be getting around 50-60 of these things on our doorstep.
Would like to know more!
We have spoken to North Kesteven this morning and they said that the initial planning is not valid and waiting for more information.
Hope more become involved with this!
Pat
#3
FenMan
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Posted 21 August 2009 - 10:40 PM
pat, on 21 August 2009 - 10:54 AM, said:
......we could be getting around 50-60 of these things on our doorstep
......the initial planning is not valid and waiting for more information.
......the initial planning is not valid and waiting for more information.
Pat, I have just had a look too and also found the following from the Ecotricity website, and I quote "As the capacity of this wind park is above 50MW, this is a proposal which would be determined by central government under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989."
Ecotricity have applied for permission to put up a 70 metre high wind monitoring mast which will be used for future planning applications. Eventually the data collected from this mast will be submitted along with full planning application for the proposed Heckington Fen Windfarm.
To date Ecotricity have not provided local residents with detailed information of the windfarm, except it being 'Our biggest wind park to date', and have applied for planning permission for a monitoring mast without even consulting local residents on the windfarm plans first!
We are concerned that we will be not be able to object to the proposed windfarm plans if permission is approved for this wind monitoring mast.
Because of the planning system, that appears to benefit the company rather than those of us who live in the area, it is likely that it will be difficult to find out exactly what is happening.
As the location for the wind monitoring mast will be in the North East section of the area marked on the map, where nobody lives, it is probable that the council will not send out letters to residents. Instead a planning notice will be attached to a post of some kind in the area but as it is not easy to get there, few people are likely to see it!
Apparently the only way to know what is going on is for us individually to ask the council to send us a ‘neighbour letter’ when the application is lodged. We would urge local residents to write to: Planning Department, District Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, NG34 7EF. Tel. 01529 414155.
One thing that tends to obscure what is happening is that the planning request is ONLY for the mast and there is no mention of the proposed windfarm. So in your letter of request for a neighbour letter you should refer to the wind monitoring mast not the windfarm. Should you wish to comment on the application, this has to be within 21 days after the council has registered the application.
The purpose of this forum is to create a place to discuss what the planned windfarm means to you as a Heckington Fen resident.
We also welcome contributions from representatives of Ecotricity, eco-groups, individuals with expert knowledge of renewable energy, other wind farm neighbours and anyone else with a contribution.
There are two local Public meetings planned next month to discuss the siting of the turbines, click here for more information.
FenMan
PS A word of thanks should go to JonF, the Root Admin of this site who has set up these pages for our local community to use. Our experiences here are that we will need to promote this site to as many people as possible to get a good following. Please spread the word!
#5
FenMan
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Posted 26 August 2009 - 07:37 PM
Hi Richard,
If you live in the East Heckington area or in a surrounding Parish, then hopefully you will have received a letter and a detailed map from Ecotricity by now.
I think many people will find the scale of 1:25,000 on this Ordnance Survey map very confusing, so to make a distance calculation, each 1 Cm on the map is equal to 0.25 Km based on this scale.
According to my measurements, many of the houses to the North and West of the area marked on the map are within 1Km of peoples houses, so I would be interested to know of others living this close to a windfarm and their experiences.
FenMan
If you live in the East Heckington area or in a surrounding Parish, then hopefully you will have received a letter and a detailed map from Ecotricity by now.
I think many people will find the scale of 1:25,000 on this Ordnance Survey map very confusing, so to make a distance calculation, each 1 Cm on the map is equal to 0.25 Km based on this scale.
According to my measurements, many of the houses to the North and West of the area marked on the map are within 1Km of peoples houses, so I would be interested to know of others living this close to a windfarm and their experiences.
FenMan
#6
JamieB
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Posted 28 August 2009 - 09:10 AM
Hello
I work in the planning department at Ecotricity and thought I would take Fenman up on his invitation for contributions from Ecotricity.
First of all, to Pat – we’re not looking at 50-60 turbines on the site. We don’t have an exact number in mind yet because part of the process we’re going through right now is to determine what would be best suited for the site. I expect it would be about half that number though, around 30 but we’ll be able to give a more definitive figure within a few months.
Fenman – several points raised …
1. The application for a wind mast usually comes before any application for a possible wind farm. This is simply because we need to get an accurate picture of what the wind ‘looks like’ on a particular site and to get a more accurate measure of wind speeds. It’s important to state that putting in a wind mast application does not automatically mean we will also put in a wind farm application.
The wind mast will be a temporary structure which will be on site for 12-18 months – it is barely visible to the naked eye from a couple of hundred metres because it is such a thin structure. Here’s a link to the sort of wind mast would we use on the site: www.nexgenwind.com
2. You mention that you are concerned that as a resident you will not be able to object to any application for a wind park. Even though this application won’t go through the local planning authority you’ll still be consulted and have the opportunity to comment on the application. In the run up to any application we try to keep local residents as informed as possible - once we have a clearer idea of how we’re going to progress the site we’ll hold public exhibitions in the area where we hope to address any concerns you may have.
3. And just to confirm a couple of colleagues will be attending the meeting on 7th September.
Richard –As I mentioned before, we don’t have a layout for the site yet. We like to start talking to people about our projects early on in the process – to be upfront about what we’re looking at - but unfortunately this does mean we can’t give exact details. All I can say to reassure you right now is that as soon as anything progresses with the plans we’ll let you know.
It’s not uncommon for concerns to be raised when a wind project is proposed. There’s an interesting FAQ on wind power on the British Wind Energy Associations website you may find useful - http://www.bwea.com/ref/faq.html
We’re keen to address and queries you’ve got. We’ve set up a dedicated email address – heckington.fen@ecotricity.co.uk or just give us a call – 01453 756111.
And I’m happy to jump in and out of this forum to help where I can...
I work in the planning department at Ecotricity and thought I would take Fenman up on his invitation for contributions from Ecotricity.
First of all, to Pat – we’re not looking at 50-60 turbines on the site. We don’t have an exact number in mind yet because part of the process we’re going through right now is to determine what would be best suited for the site. I expect it would be about half that number though, around 30 but we’ll be able to give a more definitive figure within a few months.
Fenman – several points raised …
1. The application for a wind mast usually comes before any application for a possible wind farm. This is simply because we need to get an accurate picture of what the wind ‘looks like’ on a particular site and to get a more accurate measure of wind speeds. It’s important to state that putting in a wind mast application does not automatically mean we will also put in a wind farm application.
The wind mast will be a temporary structure which will be on site for 12-18 months – it is barely visible to the naked eye from a couple of hundred metres because it is such a thin structure. Here’s a link to the sort of wind mast would we use on the site: www.nexgenwind.com
2. You mention that you are concerned that as a resident you will not be able to object to any application for a wind park. Even though this application won’t go through the local planning authority you’ll still be consulted and have the opportunity to comment on the application. In the run up to any application we try to keep local residents as informed as possible - once we have a clearer idea of how we’re going to progress the site we’ll hold public exhibitions in the area where we hope to address any concerns you may have.
3. And just to confirm a couple of colleagues will be attending the meeting on 7th September.
Richard –As I mentioned before, we don’t have a layout for the site yet. We like to start talking to people about our projects early on in the process – to be upfront about what we’re looking at - but unfortunately this does mean we can’t give exact details. All I can say to reassure you right now is that as soon as anything progresses with the plans we’ll let you know.
It’s not uncommon for concerns to be raised when a wind project is proposed. There’s an interesting FAQ on wind power on the British Wind Energy Associations website you may find useful - http://www.bwea.com/ref/faq.html
We’re keen to address and queries you’ve got. We’ve set up a dedicated email address – heckington.fen@ecotricity.co.uk or just give us a call – 01453 756111.
And I’m happy to jump in and out of this forum to help where I can...
#7
concerned
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Posted 28 August 2009 - 02:11 PM
JamieB, on 28 August 2009 - 09:10 AM, said:
Hello
I work in the planning department at Ecotricity and thought I would take Fenman up on his invitation for contributions from Ecotricity.
First of all, to Pat – we’re not looking at 50-60 turbines on the site. We don’t have an exact number in mind yet because part of the process we’re going through right now is to determine what would be best suited for the site. I expect it would be about half that number though, around 30 but we’ll be able to give a more definitive figure within a few months.
Fenman – several points raised …
1. The application for a wind mast usually comes before any application for a possible wind farm. This is simply because we need to get an accurate picture of what the wind ‘looks like’ on a particular site and to get a more accurate measure of wind speeds. It’s important to state that putting in a wind mast application does not automatically mean we will also put in a wind farm application.
The wind mast will be a temporary structure which will be on site for 12-18 months – it is barely visible to the naked eye from a couple of hundred metres because it is such a thin structure. Here’s a link to the sort of wind mast would we use on the site: www.nexgenwind.com
2. You mention that you are concerned that as a resident you will not be able to object to any application for a wind park. Even though this application won’t go through the local planning authority you’ll still be consulted and have the opportunity to comment on the application. In the run up to any application we try to keep local residents as informed as possible - once we have a clearer idea of how we’re going to progress the site we’ll hold public exhibitions in the area where we hope to address any concerns you may have.
3. And just to confirm a couple of colleagues will be attending the meeting on 7th September.
Richard –As I mentioned before, we don’t have a layout for the site yet. We like to start talking to people about our projects early on in the process – to be upfront about what we’re looking at - but unfortunately this does mean we can’t give exact details. All I can say to reassure you right now is that as soon as anything progresses with the plans we’ll let you know.
It’s not uncommon for concerns to be raised when a wind project is proposed. There’s an interesting FAQ on wind power on the British Wind Energy Associations website you may find useful - http://www.bwea.com/ref/faq.html
We’re keen to address and queries you’ve got. We’ve set up a dedicated email address – heckington.fen@ecotricity.co.uk or just give us a call – 01453 756111.
And I’m happy to jump in and out of this forum to help where I can...
I work in the planning department at Ecotricity and thought I would take Fenman up on his invitation for contributions from Ecotricity.
First of all, to Pat – we’re not looking at 50-60 turbines on the site. We don’t have an exact number in mind yet because part of the process we’re going through right now is to determine what would be best suited for the site. I expect it would be about half that number though, around 30 but we’ll be able to give a more definitive figure within a few months.
Fenman – several points raised …
1. The application for a wind mast usually comes before any application for a possible wind farm. This is simply because we need to get an accurate picture of what the wind ‘looks like’ on a particular site and to get a more accurate measure of wind speeds. It’s important to state that putting in a wind mast application does not automatically mean we will also put in a wind farm application.
The wind mast will be a temporary structure which will be on site for 12-18 months – it is barely visible to the naked eye from a couple of hundred metres because it is such a thin structure. Here’s a link to the sort of wind mast would we use on the site: www.nexgenwind.com
2. You mention that you are concerned that as a resident you will not be able to object to any application for a wind park. Even though this application won’t go through the local planning authority you’ll still be consulted and have the opportunity to comment on the application. In the run up to any application we try to keep local residents as informed as possible - once we have a clearer idea of how we’re going to progress the site we’ll hold public exhibitions in the area where we hope to address any concerns you may have.
3. And just to confirm a couple of colleagues will be attending the meeting on 7th September.
Richard –As I mentioned before, we don’t have a layout for the site yet. We like to start talking to people about our projects early on in the process – to be upfront about what we’re looking at - but unfortunately this does mean we can’t give exact details. All I can say to reassure you right now is that as soon as anything progresses with the plans we’ll let you know.
It’s not uncommon for concerns to be raised when a wind project is proposed. There’s an interesting FAQ on wind power on the British Wind Energy Associations website you may find useful - http://www.bwea.com/ref/faq.html
We’re keen to address and queries you’ve got. We’ve set up a dedicated email address – heckington.fen@ecotricity.co.uk or just give us a call – 01453 756111.
And I’m happy to jump in and out of this forum to help where I can...
Good to have Ecotricity join in this forum: However there is one thing that worries me and that is the encouragement to contact them directly for any information. One of the significant things about a forum like this is that everybody knows what is happening and we are seeing everybody's contribution. Why do I think of 'divide and conquer'?
#8
merlin
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Posted 30 August 2009 - 09:12 AM
I read with interest Ecotricity's response to Fenmans comments and as a concerned fen resident would like to add a few thoughts. So called "temporary" wind monitoring masts are rarely left in situ for 12 - 18 months. The pattern seems to be that developers delay the erection of the mast and then put in for an extension which will see them through the actuaul wind farm planning process and until construction starts. I know of one wind farm where the consent for the mast was given for 2 years and this has just been extended for an additional 2 years and so it goes on. Pretty much the same way as they only want to borrow the land for 25 years. Yeah right. In the fen landscape the mast can be visible for miles around and I do not accept the statement that it is barely visible. A mast of this height introduces a vertical elemnt into the flat landscape which is bigger than other structures. How can it not be visible. I also note that there is no indication of the height of the turbines yet. Even at early stages of wind farm planning there is normally an idea as to the height that is being considered. Perhaps Ecotricity do not want Heckington to realise yet that in addition to there being potentially 30+ turbines that these may well be the 145m turbines. If so iconic sites such as the Boston stump and other grade 1 listed buildings will be dwarfs in comparison.
The mast aside I am disappointed that Ecotricity will only "try to keep local residents informed". As with all developers they state the standard "good neighbour" policy. Surely the way to engage with a community and to ensure good relations is that as a pre-requisite you have a stakeholder communication plan which ensures that you help people in the community to understand what this will mean to them. Or is it a case that those who stand to be the most affected in all of this are disregarded as being stakeholders. Last time I looked a stakeholder was anyone who is materially affected by the project or the outcome of the project. Surely the local community will be the most affected by the outcome of this project. Wind farm development is not simple and there are many aspects to it. Surely to help dispel the "myths" which seems to be another standard quote delivered by the developers Eotriciy should and must engage in meaningul dialogue. Exhibitions should just be one way of interacting with the community.
Finally and in terms of consultation as a community Heckington must NOT be deterred from having their say albeit against or for. Even though this application will by the looks of it be decided by the Secretary of State under Section 36 it is NOT a done deal and the community must not be bullied into thinking so. The site must be an appropriate site. Members of the public and the action group will have their chance to submit their concerns. Indeed if the planning authority recommends refusal then there has to be a public enquiry. I do hope that Ecotriciy will do the right thing and will prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment.
I am looking forward to the meeting that have been planned so that we can learn more.
The mast aside I am disappointed that Ecotricity will only "try to keep local residents informed". As with all developers they state the standard "good neighbour" policy. Surely the way to engage with a community and to ensure good relations is that as a pre-requisite you have a stakeholder communication plan which ensures that you help people in the community to understand what this will mean to them. Or is it a case that those who stand to be the most affected in all of this are disregarded as being stakeholders. Last time I looked a stakeholder was anyone who is materially affected by the project or the outcome of the project. Surely the local community will be the most affected by the outcome of this project. Wind farm development is not simple and there are many aspects to it. Surely to help dispel the "myths" which seems to be another standard quote delivered by the developers Eotriciy should and must engage in meaningul dialogue. Exhibitions should just be one way of interacting with the community.
Finally and in terms of consultation as a community Heckington must NOT be deterred from having their say albeit against or for. Even though this application will by the looks of it be decided by the Secretary of State under Section 36 it is NOT a done deal and the community must not be bullied into thinking so. The site must be an appropriate site. Members of the public and the action group will have their chance to submit their concerns. Indeed if the planning authority recommends refusal then there has to be a public enquiry. I do hope that Ecotriciy will do the right thing and will prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment.
I am looking forward to the meeting that have been planned so that we can learn more.
#9
FenMan
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Posted 31 August 2009 - 12:00 PM
Welcome to the Heckington Fen section of the Windfarms forum JamieB, good to have you join.
I am still trying to come to terms with the trauma of having 'your biggest windfarm project to date' thrust upon us where planning permission had been sought for a wind monitoring mast before local residents were fully consulted on the proposed number of turbines first
Maybe so, but I am still concerned that a planning application for a wind monitoring mast (being a possible precursor for a windfarm) will have an immediate negative impact on property prices and saleability in the local area. I am sure that this was the interpretation arrived at by the District Judge who awarded substantial compensation to a family from Marton in Cumbria, because a vendor failed to disclose a wind farm proposal for just seven 40 metres turbines 500 metres away!
It is little more than a matter of common sense to realise that a windfarm on the proposed scale of 'around 30' may seriously affect property prices.
Given two identical rural properties, one of which with a proposed windfarm application of 30+ turbines, I know where I would want to invest my money!
Article from Times Online - Wind farms ruin peace, says judge
FenMan
JamieB, on 28 August 2009 - 09:10 AM, said:
You mention that you are concerned that as a resident you will not be able to object to any application for a wind park.
I am still trying to come to terms with the trauma of having 'your biggest windfarm project to date' thrust upon us where planning permission had been sought for a wind monitoring mast before local residents were fully consulted on the proposed number of turbines first
JamieB, on 28 August 2009 - 09:10 AM, said:
It's important to state that putting in a wind mast application does not automatically mean we will also put in a wind farm application.
Maybe so, but I am still concerned that a planning application for a wind monitoring mast (being a possible precursor for a windfarm) will have an immediate negative impact on property prices and saleability in the local area. I am sure that this was the interpretation arrived at by the District Judge who awarded substantial compensation to a family from Marton in Cumbria, because a vendor failed to disclose a wind farm proposal for just seven 40 metres turbines 500 metres away!
It is little more than a matter of common sense to realise that a windfarm on the proposed scale of 'around 30' may seriously affect property prices.
Given two identical rural properties, one of which with a proposed windfarm application of 30+ turbines, I know where I would want to invest my money!
Article from Times Online - Wind farms ruin peace, says judge
FenMan
#10
concerned
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Posted 31 August 2009 - 03:28 PM
Does anybody know how high these would be if in fact permission is granted for the wind farm: By the way doesn't wind 'park' sound like an amusement park or something quite innocuous! I would have thought that 'electric factory' would be more accurate!
#11
merlin
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Posted 31 August 2009 - 07:01 PM
Interestingly at the same time as a mast application is being submitted the developer is normally talking to the local authority about a scoping opinion for the wind farm so that they can start on an environmental impact assessment (EIA_. This means that they also given an indication on numbers and proposed height. As an indicator however EON are currently proposing 130m high turbines at Billingborough Fen and another developer is looking at 145m for Fockingham. The trend is certainly the bigger the better or so we are lead to believe! This hasnt done Bicker much good. Operational efficiency has been around 13-18% of operational capacity.... gosh that's powering alot of local homes. Any electricity generated is fed into the grid and does not power local homes at all.
#12
Lovetheview
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Posted 08 September 2009 - 09:06 AM
Have we heard if these things can be built on this scale in what I always thought was a greenfield area? I live in one of the properties in East Heckington that will be closest& at present we have a very open landscape, with no close trees blocking the views directly behind the house.
#13
ekky
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Posted 13 September 2009 - 07:25 PM
Hi, we are being threatened by 5 x 125m turbines and the area is not AONB, but Parish Councils have for many years protected the area from any kind of development of housing, let alone industrial. There are two main communities being effected Sheriff's Lench (hamlet) and Church Lench (Village), approx 800 people and most are within 1000m of this threat, many are between 650 and 850m from one of them. These power companies, if they get the offer of land to lease, have no scruples about who they are going to effect, they are after the money, so all they need is the green light from the local planning authority (excuse the pun).
Greenfield appears to not be an obstruction, but until the application goes in in November we will have to wait and see. We are the home of the Blossom Trail and the Wychavon Way and a sanctuary for wildlife and even birds of prey these days. Lots of bats here etc. This is an extremely quiet small area of countryside nestled above Evesham. We were all seriously shocked to receive the threat through out door in the form of a nice glossy leaflet last November.
Lovetheview, on 08 September 2009 - 10:06 AM, said:
Have we heard if these things can be built on this scale in what I always thought was a greenfield area?
Greenfield appears to not be an obstruction, but until the application goes in in November we will have to wait and see. We are the home of the Blossom Trail and the Wychavon Way and a sanctuary for wildlife and even birds of prey these days. Lots of bats here etc. This is an extremely quiet small area of countryside nestled above Evesham. We were all seriously shocked to receive the threat through out door in the form of a nice glossy leaflet last November.
#14
Fenbeagle
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Posted 19 September 2009 - 08:24 AM
There is an open debate, on the Campaign to protect Rural Englands Website, as a response to a meeting with Ed Milliband the currant Energy Minister. On the whole issue of Wind Energy. The debate, Ed Millibands views, and the responses so far, are still open to view, and participation, on this link...
http://cpredebates.w...ds-countryside/
Of particular interest (perhaps) is this News report from Austalia (it takes a while to load) posted by Elizabeth Mann
http://video.ninemsn...7e-a99c5bdf3c4a
http://cpredebates.w...ds-countryside/
Of particular interest (perhaps) is this News report from Austalia (it takes a while to load) posted by Elizabeth Mann
http://video.ninemsn...7e-a99c5bdf3c4a
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