Non Technical Summary - Partnerships for Renewables

The Development Proposals continued >
The Site Location Plan (Figure 1.1 of the ES) and Proposed
Wind Energy Development Layout (Figure 1.2a of the ES) are
reproduced at the end of this NTS along with a diagram of
a typical wind turbine structure (Figure 4.1 of the ES) which
is a 2MW-3MW machine with a 125m tip height. This is the
maximum overall height (to vertical blade tip) of the turbine
to be installed.
The method of connection to the local distribution network
has yet to be determined. Negotiations are underway
currently between PfR and Scottish and Southern Electric
to determine viable connection options; the anticipated
option for the connection of the wind turbines is 3.5km of
underground cabling within the public highway from the
development site to Newport sub-station.
The development site is located towards the north of the Isle of
Wight on the north-western fringe of Newport centred on grid
reference E 448140 N 91146. The development site comprises
the grounds of HMP Isle of Wight and is therefore bound by a
large perimeter fence to the north and west. Three separate
prisons, Camp Hill, Parkhurst and Albany and their associated
buildings, make up HMP Isle of Wight and lie to the south and
south-east of the development site. To the east of the site is the
residential area of Parkhurst which is located along the A3020
and to south beyond the prison lies the residential area of
Hunny Hill along the A3054. A number of residential properties
are also found beyond Noke Plantation along Noke Common to
the north-east of the site.
Access to the development site at Camp Hill is via the A3020
on to Clissold Road from which the prison is accessed. Access
will be taken via two routes; one from the north and one from
the south. The northern route will be utilised to transfer all
turbine components, site equipment and site structures and
the southern route will be utilised to transfer all aggregate
and ready mix concrete required by the development.
The main body of the development site comprises of
agricultural land predominantly open fields of grassland divided
by hedges and mature trees. It is part of Holme Hill, a small hill,
with the highest point being the northern central part of the site
at around 65m above Ordnance Datum (AOD). It is bounded to
the north and west by Parkhurst Forest which, in part, is a Site
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Site of Importance
for Nature Conservation (SINC). To the east it is bounded by
an area of forest known as Noke Plantation and to the south
by further agricultural fields which, in turn, bound the prison
buildings. Additionally the woodland to the immediate north
and west of the development site boundary is designated as
ancient woodland.
The planning application is for:
“The erection, 25 year operation and subsequent decommissioning
of a wind energy development comprised of
the following elements: two wind turbines with a maximum
overall height (to vertical blade tip) of up to 125 metres;
together with, offsite highway works, an upgraded junction
off Parkhurst Road, modifications to the existing access track,
new access tracks, hardstanding areas, a control building,
cabling, a temporary construction compound, and other
works and development ancillary to the main development.”
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
EIA is a process that collects information about potential
environmental effects of a proposed development and
evaluates and presents this information in a way that both
assists consultation and enables decision-makers to take
account of these effects when determining whether or not
a project should proceed. If the project does proceed the EIA
also helps identify any mitigation measures or controls over
the construction or operation that might be required. The
content and scope of the EIA was agreed through a scoping
exercise in April 2011 with the Isle of Wight Council.
The EIA has identified the likely effects of the proposed
development on the environment and an assessment has
been made as to whether any of these could be significant.
In general terms establishing whether an identified effect is
significant is determined by the importance of the receptor
(e.g. a particular listed building, ecological designated site
or landscape character area) and the magnitude of change
that will occur as a result of the construction, operation
and de-commissioning of the turbines which, in turn,
establishes the significance of that effect. Chapter 2 of the
ES sets out the EIA methodology employed in more detail.
To avoid or minimise any potential adverse effects identified
a number of mitigation measures have been incorporated into
the design of the proposed development. These measures
are set out in a proposed Environmental Management Plan
(EMP) (Chapter 15 of the ES) to be implemented during the
construction and operation of the wind turbines.
The Environmental Statement (ES) reports the findings
of the EIA which has been prepared in accordance with
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact
Assessment) Regulations 2011. The ES comprises this NTS
and three volumes: Volume 1 – Written Statement, Volume
2 – Figures and Volume 3 – Appendices.
The assessment of effects has been undertaken in an
impartial manner with the findings presented systematically
in the ES and this will be used by the Isle of Wight Council to
help inform its decision about whether or not the proposed
wind turbines at Camp Hill should be allowed to proceed.
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