The Site

The site is located near to the junction of the M50 and M5 motorways, and is not subject to any environmental designations (e.g. sites of special scientific interest), historic designations (e.g. scheduled ancient monuments), or national landscape designations (e.g. areas of outstanding natural beauty).

The area around the site already experiences a significant level of visual and noise intrusion within which the turbines will sit comfortably. It does not benefit from any significant environmental, cultural or landscape protection.  The location of the proposed turbines are at ample separation distances to housing, thereby minimising the potential for negative impact on residential amenity.

In addition to these broad points, identifying the site of the proposed wind cluster takes into consideration a wide range of environmental and technical criteria listed below.

Environmental

• landscape and visual impact
• ecology
• noise
• cultural heritage
• hydrology (water studies)
• Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority, Electromagnetic Interference (TV signals)
• traffic management
• cumulative impact (effect of more than one wind energy development)
• local benefits

Technical

• wind speed
• grid connection
• site access
• existing land use
• land availability
• wind turbine type

Further Studies

Initial feasibility work suggests that the above criteria will be met at the site, and more detailed studies are currently being carried out to confirm this.

Subject to the results of these studies and the results of consultation with various stakeholders, a planning application for the wind cluster may be submitted.

The planning application is now submitted along with the Environmental Statement (ES). All of the above studies have been addressed in the ES.

The M5 with northbound Strensham Services in the middle distance.

Strensham

Strensham village centre