TCI Renewables Withdraw Tivetshall Turbine Application

It is with great pleasure that TAG is able to report that TCI have on 1st March 2013 confirmed to SNDC Planners their withdrawal of Planning Application 2010/0861 for three 140m high turbines on the outskirts of Tivetshall St Mary, South Norfolk.  This is indeed very welcome news following some 5 years of objection to this proposed development.

Of course, we cannot be sure if this is a permanent withdrawal or a tactical move to forestall a potential refusal by SNDC - only time will tell.

TCI have confirmed their intention to progress, following minor modifications to layout, with the re-applications for turbines at Upper Vaunces Farm, Dickleburgh and at Hempnall despite these having been previously refused by SNDC and at subsquent appeals to the Planning Inspectorate.

TAG would like to thank all those who have provided support and assistance over the years to convince developers and SNDC that the selected site was totally unsuited to such a development - hopefully TCI have at last recognised this fact.

For full update refer to "Breaking News" section.

This is the tranquil scene currently available to all making use of the public footpaths and bridleways around the New Road / Patten Lane area of Tivetshall St Mary and is the area chosen by walkers, horse-riders and visitors to St Mary Church ruin for obvious reasons.  It is also the site chosen by Enertrag for the erection of 3 x 140m high wind turbines.  TAG wishes to preserve this scene and facility as it is for the continued enjoyment of local residents and prolific wildlife without the addition of an industrial and over-powering back-cloth.

Please help us to fulfil this aim; to prevent Enertrag gaining planning permission for this unwanted development on land either side of Patten Lane, Tivetshall St Mary and being just 750m in front of the Grade II* listed St Mary Church ruin.  Thankfully, English Heritage has confirmed they would need the closest turbine (No 1) relocated further away from the listed church should permission be granted - another problem for Enertrag to overcome.  A Tivetshall resident has kindly produced a scale animation which indicates clearly the impact that these 140m high turbines will have on our landscape - follow this link to TURBINE ANIMATION.  Further animations can be seen via the Gallery page / Simulations and within the Footpaths & Bridleways section.

It is crucial that as many people as possible continue to record their objections addressed to Ms Helen Mellors of South Norfolk District Council Planning Dept., (e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) objecting to this turbine development proposal now that Enertrag (UK) Ltd.,have had their formal application for planning permission registered (02/06/10).  TAG has distributed a leaflet to all surrounding households to advise residents to write with their objections to this development and provides all necessary references, assistance and procedures for objectors to make use of. Download leaflet now.  So far some some 350 letters of objection have already been logged by SNDC.  There is still time to have your voice heard and SNDC will accept your letters until they complete their planning committee report and determine the application which is now extended by agreement of the developer to 30th April 2011 - so please get to it and write on our behalf and to help safeguard your own future.

TAG supporters are also encouraged to contact their local Parish Council to express their opposition as Councils have been invited by SNC to communicate their opinions for or against this proposed development within the statutory Consultation process and will be able to attend the planning committee to express these views if they require.  For contact details please refer to the "Contacts - Useful Information Links" page on this website.

TAG's supporters were encouraged to also write to SNDC concerning the TCI turbine application (Planning Ref: 2010/0383) proposed east of the A140 just 1km from some Tivetshall St Mary residential property and we are pleased to report that this application was refused by SNDC Planning Committee of 8th December 2010.  Refer to 4V website for further information [http://4villages.co.uk].

Since this refusal, the developer TCI Renewables had given notice of appeal and the subsequent inquiry was held during early 2011 and completed in 2012 and has sensibly confirmed the refusal of this application as at 15th October 2012. Will TCI get the message at last that these turbines are not condusive to the South Norfolk landscape?

Apparently, TCIR do not understand the word "NO".  In January 2013 they have confirmed they are re-submitting their application for 3 x 125m high turbines on the same site but with turbines configured into a tighter cluster - and by this means they consider they will overcome the objections put forward by the local community (through 4V) and the reasons for SNDC and the Planning Inspector's refusals.  They have no idea!

It only goes to show that with a willing land-owner (West Farms in this instance) they will continue in their endevours to win approval at whatever cost to reap the significant rewards offered to them by the Government subsidies available - notwithstanding the continued objection of the local community and those officials who administer Planning law and the NPPF.  It's time the Government made changes to the NPPF to make clear that LOCALISM does count for something and a refusal at appeal means just that - NO, GO AWAY!

This is the tranquil setting that has been St Mary's Church (ruin) for hundreds of years, although in its current ruined state only since 1947 when the tower collapsed into the church due to vibration from a low flying aircraft passing over.  TAG wishes to preserve this scene and facility for the continued enjoyment of all without the addition of three 140m turbines as a back-cloth.

Every member of the community has the right to object in writing to any development proposal submitted for planning approval.  All members of the household over the age of 18 should be encouraged to participate, not just the head of the household.  The number of objections received should be a major influence on planning officer and committee decision making, highlighting all aspects of the development plan which give rise to public concern.  Letters of objection must be in writing either posted to SNDC at Swan House, Swan Lane, Long Stratton or can be emailed directly via the "comments" facility to SNDC Planning Portal website where details of the planning application and subsequent correspondence will be available for public information. You may also email directly to the Planning Dept on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the attention of Ms Helen Mellors quoting planning reference 2010/0861.

Now the application for planning has been registered by SNDC, a timescale for consultees and objections will be set by the Council in accordance with statutory requirements.  Due to the complexities of the planning process relating to windfarms and the considerable material anticipated within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared by the applicant and which will require careful analysis by TAG and other interested parties, we shall seek an extention to the period permitted for objection and will keep TAG members advised accordingly.  The application is still under consideration by SNDC who have recently requested further EIA information from the developer under Regulation 19; so a decision is not expected until early 2011. Since confirming SNDC's requirement for further information to complete the EIA, it should be noted that as of early March 2011 the developer, Enertrag, has still not responded with the information outstanding.  They have however agreed to an extension to the planning adjudication period now until 30th April 2011.

Individual letters or emails are requested, rather than signed partition lists or round-robin type letters of objection which do not carry the same weight as individual letters of objection, clearly defining those aspects of concern to the writer.  TAG will be preparing and delivering an aid-memoir listing of objection points to be considered to assist in the preparation of letters.  An electronic copy of this leaflet is available for download here.  

Local, site specific, issues include the temporary loss of public recreation during the 5-7 month construction period and disruption of this continued enjoyment for the following 25 years due to the intimidating 140m (460ft) high structures in close proximity to footpaths and bridleways, the impact on nearby St Mary Church ruin (Grade II* Listed) and possible destruction of ancient artifacts on the site dating back to Saxon and Roman times.  This is in addition to the visual impact on this pleasant landscape the turbines and associated infrastructure will cause as well as disruption of an abundant wildlife and the potential effect of noise and flicker problems to nearby residential amenity.

Over 300 letters of objection were written to SNDC regarding the meteorological test mast application at the end of 2009 and we would hope to far exceed that number relative to the full turbine application.  It is up to you all - this will be your last chance to make your opinion known to Planning Officers who will interpret planning law and make their recommendations to the elected Councillors who will make the final decision on the Planning Committee.