North East England Onshore Windfarm Capacity Studies
Clients: North East Assembly, Arup
The North East Assembly has identified a number of search areas where windfarm development may be appropriate to meet regional targets. White Consultants acted as part of a team led by Arup to determine the landscape and visual capacity for five of these areas. This work has been ground breaking, building on the team’s experience in Wales. The sensitivity of defined zones is assessed, visual effects on key receptors evaluated and the capacity for different sizes of windfarms derived. Cumulative impact is then addressed to give a robust approach for planners to evaluate multiple planning applications.
The first study at Knowesgate and Harwood Forest won a Landscape Institute highly commended award in 2006 and the method has recently been tested at Inquiry.
Other areas studied include:
- Alnwick and Berwick
- Kilnpit Hill
- Durham East
- Durham West
