DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PANEL 20 August 2012

Case No: 1200670FUL (FULL PLANNING APPLICATION)

Proposal: INSTALLATION OF TWO WIND TURBINES EACH 36.4M HIGH (TO MID POINT OF HUB) AND 46M HIGH TO BLADE TIP (MAXIMUM TOTAL HEIGHT) WITH THREE 9.6M LENGTH BLADES. PLUS ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT TO REPLACE TWO GAIA TURBINES (PERMITTED UNDER 1000736FUL) AMENDED DESCRIPTION

Location: HAMERTON ZOO PARK HAMERTON ROAD STEEPLE GIDDING

Applicant: HAMERTON ZOO PARK

Grid Ref: 513826 280382

Date of Registration: 14.05.2012

Parish: HAMERTON AND STEEPLE GIDDING

RECOMMENDATION - APPROVE

1. DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND APPLICATION

1.1 The site is a field associated with Hamerton Zoological Park within the countryside to the north east of the settlement of Hamerton. The site is approximately 230 metres to the west of Manor Lodge Farm. The site is within the landscape character area of the Northern Wolds with an open land-form comprised of significant stretches of agricultural land and small dispersed settlements. The adjacent roadside verge is protected. The high voltage power lines and pylons run along the eastern edge of the area.

1.2 Two 11KW Gaia wind turbines have been erected under planning permission 1000736FUL; these are approx. 18.5m high to hub, twin bladed and have a total height from ground to the tip of the turbine of 24.8 metres. They are mounted on a lattice tower. These turbines sought to enable the applicants to reduce their carbon emissions and energy bills and to increase their self-sufficiency in terms of electricity production.

1.3 The current proposal seeks permission for two replacement wind turbines. The proposed turbines are to be 50KW output Endurance E- 3120 turbines which have a mid-hub height of 36.4m and maximum height (from ground to blade tip) of 46m. The Endurance turbines have three blades and are mounted on a monopole.

1.4 The application is supported by a Design and Access Statement with Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment and Photomontages, Heritage Statement, Noise assessment and general acoustic data for the turbines. A public event was held on behalf of the applicant following initial submission of the application.

1.5 The proposed turbines would reportedly generate electricity for consumption by the zoo to enable the business electricity needs to be fully satisfied in an environmentally and sustainable manner; it is detailed that any surplus electricity will be fed back into the National Grid. It is also detailed that the existing turbines would be dismantled and reused at another site where the level of electricity generated would be commensurate with the particularly needs of that location; further details of this relocation are unknown.

1.6 Wind turbines are projects which are listed under Schedule 2.3(i) to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) ( and Wales) Regulations 2011. Local planning authorities are required to screen applications for the need for EIA where the development involves the installation of more than 2 turbines or the hub height of any turbine or height of any other structure exceeds 15 metres. An EIA Screening was undertaken in accordance with the Regulations; this concluded that the development was not EIA development and an Environmental Statement was not therefore required.

1.7 The accompanying reports have been amended during the application and the description also amended to ensure all documents referred to the mid-point of the hub height as the initial application description referred to a lower height of 35.4m (relating to the base of the hub height) in contrast to the supporting statements. A period of reconsultation has been carried out with all consultees and neighbours.

1.8 The plan showing the elevation of the turbine indicates that this model is not available for use in EU countries; a letter from Hallmark Power Ltd (supplier of the tur