How we develop wind farms

Scoping Report

The Scoping Report outlines the basic wind farm proposal, this is submitted to either the Local Authority concerned, or to the Government, depending on the size of the project.

If there is a favourable response to the Scoping Report, then we will carry out a full feasibility study for the development as follows:

Environmental Impact Assessment

The EIA is a detailed investigation to examine any potential environmental effects during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed wind farm.

Read more about EIAs

Public Consultation period

This is the name of the process where we engage with the local community to understand your views and respond to any concerns you have about the development.

What happens next?

EDF ER will make a decision based on the results of the environmental assessment as to whether a particular site is capable of successfully accommodating a wind farm of the size proposed.

Environmental Statement and the Planning Application

From the EIA an Environmental Statement (ES) is prepared. This document is submitted along with the Planning Application to the local planning authority. An abbreviated version of the ES is also prepared, this is called the Non-Technical Summary.

Once the application has been submitted, members of the public have further opportunity to comment on the proposals by contacting the relevant Council and quoting the planning application number.

Any planning decision is then made by the Council following a formal consultation process with bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency in the UK, or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland.

Environmental

Environmental sensitivity is considered widely in the planning and delivery of all site operations. Many measures are put in place to minimise vehicle movements as well as to protect or enhance natural habitats, and lessen the environmental impact of a development.

Great care is taken to ensure that the wind farm design is optimised in terms of its visual impact on the surrounding area. Sites are only considered where the landscape is deemed able to accommodate the wind farm sympathetically.

When developing a wind farm, a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required.

The EIA examines all the potential environmental effects during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the development.

Following completion of the EIA, a planning application will be submitted to the relevant local planning authority.

Read more about the stages in the planning process.

Issues assessed during the Environmental Impact Assessment

The EIA is a thorough and detailed investigation to examine any potential environmental effects during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed wind farm.

Particular attention is paid to the following issues:

Landscape and Visual Impact

The EIA will assess the impact of the wind farm on the visual amenity of the surrounding area. The visual impact is analysed from numerous viewpoints that are determined in consultation with the local Councils involved as well as other bodies as appropriate for the site in question.

Traffic and Infrastructure

The traffic associated with construction, operation and decommissioning will be quantified and will be assessed as part of the EIA process.

Noise

The impact of noise on the surrounding areas will be assessed using a combination of background monitoring and computer modelling. This will ensure that the wind farm will operate within all the relevant noise limits and criteria. EDF Energy Renewables will consult with the Local Authorities concerned to determine appropriate noise limits.

Ecology

The EIA includes an ecological investigation that will assess the impact of the wind farm on local flora and fauna. Ecological surveys will be undertaken to comply with the requirements of all our ecological consultees, such as Natural England, the statutory body for the protection of England’s natural environment, and the Environment Agency in the UK, or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland.

Ornithology

Both breeding and winter bird surveys will be undertaken on the wind farm site. The results of these surveys will be discussed in the EIA. The impact to any sensitive species in the area will be studied and quantified in the EIA.