When the site was first identified, a number of ecological assessments were undertaken to see if the site would be suitable for a wind farm.  Full details of these assessments will be included in the planning application, and will be available for viewing when the application is made.

Independent consultants have been appointed to undertake a full landscape and visual impact assessment. Their methodology was considered by South Northamptonshire Council when it gave its Scoping Opinion.  The landscape and visual impact assessment will refer to a number of representative viewpoints, and which will be presented as photomontages. 

A noise impact assessment will be submitted with the planning application.  The first part of the noise assessment will involve collecting background data at a number of the closest properties around the site. These locations will be chosen by our noise consultants in consultation with the Environmental Health Department at South Northamptonshire Council.

Equipment will be in place for two to three weeks, measuring ambient background noise levels at each property. For the same period of time we will measure wind speeds and wind direction across the site, using data from the temporary anemometry mast that was installed on the 30th November 2010.

The next step will be to assess the potential noise impact of the wind farm. Initial mitigation will be built into the proposal by locating turbines such that they are sufficient distances from housing whereby noise emitted by the turbines does not exceed the levels set out in ETSU R-97, The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms.