Wind farm firm to launch trial run

2:49pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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A HUGE lorry will pass through the Dengie Peninsula tomorrow, Wednesday, as the firm behind the Bradwell wind farm plan launches a trial run.

Npower Renewables has revealed a "large vehicle" will take the route which would be used for transporting equipment if the proposals get the go ahead.

The trial run is taking place with the co-operation of police and Essex County Council's highways department.

It is part of a programme of ongoing work by Npower's officers who are building on earlier environmental and site specific studies.

Last year a public inquiry was held after Maldon District Council refused permission for a ten turbine wind farm on land at Hockley Farm, Bradwell.

Planning permission was subsequently approved by the government's planning inspector.

But protest group Battle (Bradwell and Tillingham Tackling Lost Environment) appealed and, in January, the High Court quashed the inspector's decision.

A consent order issued by the court described two of the conditions imposed on the planning permission as "unenforceable".

Cath Stevenson, development manager at Npower Renewables, said: "This technicality means that the planning application for the wind farm will go back the Government Planning Inspectororate.

"We are expecting confirmation of the timescales for this within the next few weeks.

"Environmental and other site specific studies are continuing at Bradwell, building on earlier studies undertaken.

"This includes Npower Renewables working with the police and county highways department to undertake a large vehicle trial run, following the route to the wind farm which would be used should planning permission be granted."