METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF WIRRAL

ECONOMIC REGENERATION AND PLANNING STRATEGY SELECT – 15 NOVEMBER 2005

CABINET – 1 DECEMBER 2005

REPORT OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE/DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES ______

ERECTION OF 5NO WIND TURBINES ON WATERFRONT BETWEEN ALEXANDRA AND SANDON HALF TIDE DOCK. CONSULTATION ON PLANNING APPLICATION REF 05F/2712.

1. Executive Summary.

1.1 This report informs members of consultation from Liverpool City Council in relation to a planning application for the erection of 5 wind turbines on the waterfront between Alexandra Dock and Sandon Half Tide Dock, Liverpool.

1.2 The main issue for Wirral is the visual impact of the proposed development when viewing the Liverpool area from various vantage points within the Borough.

1.3 The report proposes that the Select Committee recommend to Cabinet that the objection lodged by officers with both Sefton and Liverpool Councils on 21 October 2005 be endorsed, because alternative options for using lower structures had not been fully explored by the applicant.

2. Background.

2.1 Wirral Borough Council has been invited to comment on a Planning Application received by Liverpool City Council for the erection of five wind turbines. The site is along the waterfront between Alexandra Dock and Sandon Half Tide Dock crosses the boundaries of both Liverpool and Sefton Planning Authorities.

2.2 The deadline for making representations on the Liverpool planning application was 24 October 2005. Liverpool Local Planning Authority would have been entitled to assume the Wirral Borough Council did not wish to comment if no reply was submitted by that date. Consequently, letters lodging an objection have been sent to both of the Planning Authorities at Liverpool and Sefton, pending confirmation by Members at the earliest opportunity.

3. Planning Application Details.

3.1 Mersey Docks And Harbour Company have submitted planning applications to Liverpool City Council and Sefton MBC to extend the existing windfarm currently at Seaforth Dock by erecting a further five wind turbines on the dock walls along the waterfront between 1 Liverpool Wind Farm Consultation Response Economic Regeneration and Planning Strategy Select – 15 November 2005 Alexandra Dock and Sandon Half Tide Dock. Two of the turbines fall within Sefton’s jurisdiction, and the remaining three are within Liverpool City Council’s boundary.

3.2 Each structure would consist of a column to support a turbine at 90 metres high, which in turn would house the rotor to give an overall height of 135 metres to the tip of the blades. The base would be 4.15 wide narrowing to a diameter of 2.3 metres at the top.

3.3 The turbines would be connected by underground cable to the main electrical distribution network. Each machine would be capable of producing 3MW giving a combined capacity of 15MW for the proposed development.

3.4 The proposed development is listed in Schedule 2 of The Town & Country (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations and an Environmental Statement (ES) has been submitted with the application.

4. The Environmental Statement.

4.1 Potential Effects

4.2 An assessment of the potential effects on humans; flora/fauna/geology; land; air and climate is provided in the ES.

4.3 The ES suggests that application site has been selected for two reasons. Firstly, data shows that wind speed necessary for optimum output occurs 70% of the time and turbulence would be low next to open water. Secondly, the location is urban and industrial in character, which is more suitable for accommodating the large structures than rural or upland landscapes.

4.4 Many of the potential impacts such as noise, shadow flicker, bird strike, television interference are forecasted to be low and confined to the local area. Construction is expected to last approximately 6 weeks and the noise levels during piling for foundations are predicted to have a moderate impact in the New Brighton Area. Noise from the turbines in operation is expected to be below the ambient noise level.

4.5 A potential effect on aircraft radar detection is identified due the height of the proposed structures. No mitigation measures are proposed and the ES recommends further discussions with National Air Traffic Services.

4.6 Visual Impact

4.7 The main effect, according to the ES, would arise from the visual impact, which would have regional significance. Areas designated for conservation, Liverpool’s World Heritage site and the city skyline are taken into account.

4.8 The assessment used digital mapping to provide a plan showing the Zone of Visual Influence plus photomontages for 21 vantage points around Merseyside. This includes photographic views from the northern end of Marine Lake, New Brighton and Wallasey Town Hall. The impact from these locations is assessed as highly significant. 2 Liverpool Wind Farm Consultation Response Economic Regeneration and Planning Strategy Select – 15 November 2005 4.9 Measures to mitigate possible adverse effects on the landscape are listed as : · Location within an operational dock environment.

· Siting in an expansive river corridor of a scale that can accommodate the size of the proposed structures.

· Sea level location below height of much of the surrounding area.

· Use of light grey colour with no reflective surfaces.

· A slender tapering design to minimise prominence.

4.10 The ES concludes that the wind turbines will remain as highly significant elements within views from the Wirral coastline, particularly at New Brighton and along Marine Promenade. It is contended by the applicant that the wind turbines will become familiar landmarks on the skyline and will contribute to an improved legibility in the northern part of the city. While the impact is significant, the effect is not harmful.

5. Directors Comments.

5.1 The proposed development would be almost twice the height of the existing turbines at Seaforth Dock, which are in a less conspicuous setting.

5.2 It is reported by the applicant that the proposed structures with the ability to generate up to 3MW of energy would be the largest currently available. However, in considering the alternatives to this, the Environmental Statement only assesses the options for height in relation to the impact on air traffic control.

5.3 While supportive of innovative development that can harness sustainable sources of energy, I asked the Liverpool Planning Authority to seek further information regarding the effects and the viability of structures with similar and intermediate heights to the those at Seaforth Dock, so that prospects of keeping the visual effect to a minimum has been properly explored (see attached letter in appendix A).

5.4 It is one of the Government’s key principles in PPS 22, that proposals should demonstrate how the environmental impact has been minimised through careful consideration of location, scale, design and other measures. In the absence of a detailed study into the consequences of using lower turbines, I have raised an objection to the proposed development. At the time of writing, no additional information has been submitted by the applicant in response to the concerns raised in the objection letter. Should this information be forthcoming before the Select Committee, I will report this verbally to Members.

5.5 Notwithstanding the above concerns, in the event of the application being recommended for approval I have requested the use of suitable planning conditions and/ or section 106 agreement to ensure: 3 Liverpool Wind Farm Consultation Response Economic Regeneration and Planning Strategy Select – 15 November 2005 · The applicant in the event of radio or television interference undertakes remedial measures.

· The development is finished in a non- reflective colour to match the existing turbines at Seaforth Dock.

· Working hours during construction are controlled to prevent disturbance during quiet times.

· The development is removed from the site when it is no longer needed for electricity generation purposes.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The introduction of further wind turbines on the Liverpool waterfront is likely to make a contribution to renewable energy production and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Such development should be supported in principle. However, applicants can be reasonably expected to demonstrate that the environmental impact would be kept to a minimum through careful consideration of the available options for carrying out the development.

6.2 The Environmental Statement submitted with the application does not assess options such as the use of lower structures, perhaps in greater numbers, and effect this may have on energy output.

6.3 Therefore, proper consideration has not been given to the prospects of mitigating the visual effects and an objection to the planning application should be made on these grounds.

7. Financial & Staffing Implications

7.1 There are no financial or staffing implications arising from this report.

8. Equal Opportunities Implications

8.1 There are no equal opportunity implications arising from this report.

9. Human Rights Implications

9.1 There are no human rights implications arising from this report.

10. Local Agenda 21 Implications

10.1 While wind power can produce a sustainable form of energy, this need to be weighed against other considerations including the visual impact.

4 Liverpool Wind Farm Consultation Response Economic Regeneration and Planning Strategy Select – 15 November 2005 11. Local Member Support Implications

11.1 This report may be of interest to members from wards with views across the northern parts of Liverpool.

12. Planning Implications

12.1 This report raises objection to an application for planning permission in areas under the jurisdiction of Liverpool and Sefton Planning Authorities.

13. Community Safety Implications

13.1 There are no community safety implications arising from this report.

14. Recommendation

That the Select Committee recommends to Cabinet that the Council endorse representations made in response to a consultation on a planning application to erect five wind turbines in areas under the jurisdiction of Liverpool and Sefton Planning Authorities.

This report has been prepared by Eddie Fleming in the Forward Planning Section of Corporate Services who can be contacted on 0151 691 8129

J. WILKIE Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services

5 Liverpool Wind Farm Consultation Response Economic Regeneration and Planning Strategy Select – 15 November 2005