Wind turbine at QEH moves step nearer
LYNN'S Queen Elizabeth Hospital and green energy company Ecotricity hope it will be second time lucky with their latest proposal for an 80-metre wind turbine.
A previous application for a wind turbine in the QEH grounds, near the A149, faced harsh criticism from council planners, but the latest application is recommended for approval.
It is hoped the turbine, which would stand 20 metres lower than the Eco Tech turbine at Swaffham, will reduce the hospital's energy bills and its carbon footprint.
The previous application was blasted by West Norfolk Council's development control board and rejected on a number of grounds in May last year.
Councillors refused it on six different points, fearing it could impact on the air traffic control radar at RAF Marham, interfere with the hospital's air ambulance, ruin views and endanger lives by distracting motorists.
Concerns were raised about the potential for shadow flicker at nearby accommodation and the lack of a completed bird survey was also criticised.
The application was later dismissed on appeal solely on the basis of insufficient survey work and the planning inspector said objection on each of the other grounds could not be justified.
Ecotricity has carried out an ecological survey, looking at a number of plants and animals including badgers, bats, water voles and reptiles, and showing a low risk to birds.
The risk of impact was only found to be significant for bats.
A report submitted with the application said a number of steps could be taken to mitigate the risk to bats, including the elimination of white exterior lights used at nearby car parks in order to reduce the number of bats and insects attracted to the area around the turbine.
Natural England, the Highways Authority, National Air Traffic Services and the Civil Aviation Authority have made no objections to the scheme.
The accompanying report recognises the turbine will be visible from homes at the Northern end of the Fairstead estate, from a Grade-II listed farmhouse to the east and from the Grade I listed ruined St James church, a scheduled ancient monument.
The borough council has received two letters of objection, raising a variety of concerns.
These included the potential for increased traffic during the construction phase and the turbine's close proximity to local homes.
Last month saw the approval of 10 million redevelopment of the Berol House site, on the Hardwick Industrial Estate, which included three cylindrical wind turbines.
The QEH proposal is due to be discussed by the development control board on Monday.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
