We are pleased to tell you that the determination period in which AVDC were supposed to decide whether to approve or reject Force 9 Energy’s application to build 4 turbines on Dorcas Lane has been extended to 30th November 2012.

This now means that no decision will be made on 30th April, as we had previously believed to be the case.

So, what has changed?

On the 29th March AVDC wrote to the developer. They made a request for further information on bats to include a new survey to be carried out. In short they stated the survey, which identified a high level of bat activity including some extremely rare species, did not follow best practice nor the methodology laid out in the initial scoping document for the development signed off by the council in 2011. Neither were adequate mitigation measures proposed. They said no support could be given until a further survey had been carried out and that due to the breeding and migratory habits of the bats this must be carried out over the summer months. As such, this would therefore prevent AVDC determining the application by the 30th April.

AVDC also stated in their letter that, having reviewed the plans, they did not believe the correct application fee had been paid.  They had received £27,470 and the amount should have been £131,565. In normal circumstances they would ask for the application to be withdrawn and resubmitted. However in view of the considerable public involvement and consultation that has taken place already , they suggested the application be frozen until receipt together of the correct fee and the bat survey information at the end of the summer. This would mean that the 16 week determination period would start from receipt of the new fee, ensuring that the Council has time to make a determination and thereby removing the risk of the developer appealing for non determination. They finally requested that when responding Force 9 provide greater clarification within the resubmitted plans on the proposed access arrangements to the site.

On the 4th April Force 9 responded that they accepted the comments on the bats survey and that there was now agreement for the additional work to be carried out in the late summer. On this basis they were happy for the determination period to be extended until the 30th November 2012. (SDLT note that this assumes receipt of the planning fee by the 8th August). Force 9 also said they accepted AVDC’s request to deal with the fee issue at the same time resolution has been agreed with AVDC on both bats and access.

We see this latest development as very positive news – Force 9 Energy now face the challenge of adequately demonstrating that the erection of the turbines will not have a significant adverse effect on a number of extremely rare bats that inhabit the vicinity of the site. They also fully understand AVDC’s expectation that they pay a much higher fee, which is good news for us Council ratepayers.

At the same time, the delay co-incides with the growing tide of public and political discontent with the UK’s relentless pursuit of poorly sited wind farms. This mood will only strengthen and gain greater visibility over the coming months and put greater pressure on Councils to reject those applications that are inappropriately placed and/or most likely to be inefficient, of which Dorcas Lane is both. Indeed, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has recently intimated at a potential change in Government policy away from onshore and more toward offshore, stating that the Coalition had inherited a policy that had been “unbalanced in favour of onshore wind” and that there had been “some installations in sensitive or unsuitable locations – too close to houses, or in an area of outstanding natural beauty”.

What does this delay mean for the SDLT action group? Very little in reality – we continue as normal in our endeavours to demonstrate the total unsuitability of the proposed location for the turbines. We will use the extra time to fine tune the development of our comprehensive rebuttal document to the Force 9 Energy application. This will address a range of issues including landscape impact, air safety, noise, health, cultural heritage, rights of way, residential amenity and site viability and will now be submitted to AVDC in line with the revised determination period.

At the same time, we will embark on a number of fund-raising activities – more detail of which will be communicated in due course.

Your ongoing support remains critical – remember there are many ways you can show this:

- via participation in our fund raising events or by making a much appreciated donation

- by making sure you have signed our petition and submitted your objection letter to AVDC.

- by offering to help local village teams who are coordinating our activities across all the villages.

- by offering your specialist services to the main SDLT Executive team (any PR experts out there? We would love to hear from you!).

If you wish to offer your services please feel free to contact us direct:

Malcolm Newing (Chairman) on 07702 067966

Joseph Cresswell (Vice Chairman) on 07941 338980