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Following a thorough feasibility process, joint developers Infinergy and Alaska Environmental Contracting (Purbeck Wind Farm LLP) decided to take plans for a wind farm at Master's Quarry, East Stoke forward and into the planning system.
In July 2007 a Scoping Report was submitted to Purbeck District Council, the local planning authority. The Scoping Report outlines what surveys and studies must be undertaken to assess potential impacts of the development on the local environment. The aim is always to avoid, minimise and mitigate any impacts. The report goes out to statutory and non-statutory consultees at the beginning of the project for their comments, which are taken on board in the Environmental Statement, the documents accompanying the planning application when submitted.
Purbeck District Council's planning department responded with a Scoping Opinion in September 2007.
Public consultation started in October 2007 and in December 2007, a public exhibition with detailed information of the plans was held at the Springfield Hotel near the proposed site.
In March 2008, the planning application for 6 wind turbines at Master's Quarry, known as Alaska Wind Farm was submitted to PDC.
Consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees and the local community went on after submission. During this consultation process a potential conflict with ecological designation came to light. Infinergy has been liaising very closely with the relevant consultees to take on board their issues. As a result, Infinergy withdrew the application, modified the proposal and after a lot of time and effort a revised plan for 4 wind turbines was submitted to PDC in October 2009. Documentation can be found under Downloads.
Public consultation in 2009-2010 included another public exhibtiion to show the plans for the 4-turbine scheme, wind energy lessons, presentations, a Master's Quarry site visit for school pupils and several trips to the operational Burton Wold Wind Farm in Northamptonshire for interested parties including Dorset Scouts.
November 2010: PDC's planning department recommends Alaska Wind Farm for refusal.
December 2010: The planning commitee resolves that they are minded to approve the application subject to adequate planning conditions.
January 2011: The 80m wind measurement mast built on site to measure local wind speeds and direction is decommissioned after 2 years of gathering data, enough to secure bank loans for construction and turbine purchase should the project go ahead.
February 2011: Purbeck's planning department puts forward a list of 40 stringent planning conditions, which we feel are professional and enforceable.
March 2011: PDC's planning committee refuses the application.
October 2011: Appeal for Alaska Wind Farm submitted to Planning Inspectorate.
10 days of hearing sessions to be held in Apriil 2012. Click here for the schedule.
The story continues... watch this space!