The renewables arm of UK-based utility npower has had its plans to establish a wind farm at Bradwell-on-Sea approved by a planning inspector appointed by the UK government's Department for Communities and Local Government.
The decision follows a three-week public inquiry in June 2007, which heard evidence for and against the wind farm from the applicant npower renewables, Maldon District Council and local protest group Battle. The decision is a major boost for the 2010 renewable energy targets for both Essex and the east of England.
Development manager at npower renewables Cath Stevenson said: We are understandably delighted with this outcome. The very detailed evidence put forward during the public inquiry has shown that this is an ideal location for a modern wind farm which will produce clean renewable energy into the local electricity network.
There is an urgent need to tackle the causes of climate change and wind farms are the most commercially and technologically advanced renewable to meet the challenge. The wind farm at Bradwell will power on average between 8,100 and 10,600 local homes, helping reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we produce.
The proposals will see 10 wind turbines each with a rated capacity of between 1.5MW and 2.5MW and a maximum height of 121m constructed on farm land to the south of Bradwell-on-Sea.