Off-Shore Wind Farm Application 77576 for on-shore cabling
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The planning application is only in respect of the laying of the on-shore cable and its proposed route.
Planning Portal: https://planning.northdevon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/77576
White Cross Wind Farm is for 8 floating wind turbines off Hartland Point and is a pilot project.
See: www.whitecrossoffshorewind.com
** Consultation re opened 8th January 2025 until 14th February 2025**
Consultation reopened on 08/01/25 and ended 14/02/25. As previously advised the new documents can be found on the planning portal and are dated 02/01/25.
See: www.planning.northdevon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/77576
UPDATE 12.03.25 – NDC Planning Committee have announced the White Cross site visit – various spots across the proposed cable route.
The Planning Committee visit will start at Saunton location at 10.00am.
During these site visits there is no interaction between the Planning Committee and members of the public who turn up but this is an opportunity to demonstrate to the Councillors what residents feel about this application by being present. It also allows for members of the public to hear the points raised/considered by the Planning Committee and the Case Officer’s narrative.
Urge all who can to attend this visit across the various locations of the proposed sites and demonstrate the community’s concern.
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Love Braunton’s submission relating to the 2025 consultation can be found here:
Love Braunton have received this copy of Paul Richardson’s third submission.
It makes very interesting reading. As Paul is aware that there are delays in submissions being posted to the portal he has given consent to share with concerned parties.
Love Braunton’s statement to Parish Council at open meeting 27 Jan 2025:
BBC article 24th January 2025 in respect of threat of closure of Blackpool Beach with development of offshore windfarms by Morgan and Morecombe Offshore windfarms
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20pq51zj86o
Web site for Morgan and Morecombe Offshore windfarms which shows that the development for the Morecombe windfarm is by the same joint venture as White Cross.
https://morecambeandmorgan.com
UPDATE: 5th January ’25 – there are 18 new documents entered on the planning portal dated 02/01/25 by the applicant.
Unlike those submitted in October 2024, which were not put out to public consultation, we believe these will be. It is possible that consultation will be opened from 08/01/25 for the usual time period of 21 days with a view to have the application heard at March planning committee.
The documents can be found on the document tab documents and reports section – https://planning.northdevon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/77576
Once we have read through we will post our views.
UPDATE 13th November ’24 – This submission (below) has been made on 6th November by the Port of Milford Haven to Ken Miles Chief Executive of North Devon Council.
The letter makes a number of statements in respect of the economic benefits that FLOW – Floating Offshore Windfarms as a sector could generate for England and Wales. We cannot verify how these figures, which are at a national level, have been determined. There is certainly no evidence of potential benefit to North Devon let alone to our local area – something that the White Cross application does not address and was unable to address at the last round of public consultation.
Our objection is not to offshore windfarms but the proposed onshore cable route which if approved will only deliver disbenefits to our community, ecology and landscape.
The Port of Milford Haven and its Pembroke Dock facility are looking to facilitate FLOW from the Celtic Sea. Given their proximity to National Grid connections perhaps this could be a viable alternative for White Cross to explore?
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Another submission has been made on 11th November by the Port of Bristol to North Devon Council.
The letter repeats the statementsmade by the Port of Milford Haven in respect of the economic benefits that FLOW – Floating Offshore Windfarms, as a sector could generate for England and Wales.
This letter of support which follows on the heels of that from the Port of Milford Haven suggests that White Cross are now actively promoting their application outside of North Devon and our local area.
Two of the documents referenced by the Port of Bristol, have been produced by Renewable UK – a trade association for the UK renewable energy sector. Their site can be found here:
The Crown Estate (TCE) document talks in very high level terms of the potential opportunities South West / South Wales. The Port of Bristol makes no reference to the gaps identified by this document in terms of ports deep enough for handling the giant turbines, vessels to service the sites, and export cables to transport electricity to land for grid connection.
A copy of this document can be found at this link –
UPDATE 2nd November ’24 – a number of new documents have been submitted in response to Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation (all dated 13.10.24)
UPDATE: 5th September ’24 – White Cross consultation now drawing to a close 6/9/24 but there are two recent submissions we would like to draw your attention to:
Submission 2 is from a Subject Matter Expert – Paul Richardson, who considers the proposal in respect of what the UK requires and the National Grid infrastructure. A very interesting and informative submission. Of particular note is section 4 of his submission “The Selection Site and Alternatives Selection”.
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The Environment Agency’s latest submission is continuing to object on flood risk grounds. They also make the observation that the submitted documentation “rather than setting out a brief summary has taken considerable public resources/time in the review process, particular when we have already commented that the referenced documents do not address our concerns e.g. re-referencing to offshore waves when onshore waves are the issue”.
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UPDATE: 29th August ’24 – Love Braunton’s latest representation can be found here:
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Natural England’s latest response is now on the portal. Their overarching document dated 28/08/24 states the area of principle disagreement is the impact on the Greater Horseshoe Bat population and lists main areas of concern – marine and coastal processes, soils, onshore ornithology, marine mammals, offshore ornithology, benthic and intertidal, designated sites/ fish and shellfish. This summary is supported by various detailed responses to the relevant Appendices submitted by White Cross in July 2024.
Natural England have used a traffic light system red, amber, yellow and green in all of the review documents and which they define in the overarching letter 28/08/24. From our read through the predominant colours are red and amber. There is no green light!
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National Grid announcement 13th August 2024:
National Grid ESO proposals are an enabler of The Crown Estate’s Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, a nationally significant 4.5 GW of floating offshore wind power that will connect directly into the transmission network – one of the largest floating wind initiatives in the world.
Their document can be found here:
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/324006/download
So why are White Cross promoting their flawed onshore cable route when the National Grid’s own recommendations for the Celtic Sea show the North Devon link running in below Bideford as illustrated on page 26 (Part 5)
Note that the Recommendation states: ‘While our Recommended Design is less economic than some others we have considered, it does offer advantages in terms of environmental impact and community impact.’
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The new proposals were discussed at the open Braunton Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 13th August where the Council voted unanimously to refuse them. For Love Braunton’s contribution see:
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UPDATE: July ’24 – further information has been received by North Devon Council (documents dated 02/07/24).
To view all documents and submit a representation see:
www.planning.northdevon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/77576
We will be looking to see if the issues we raised in our document have been addressed by the applicant, see:
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Please find below a link to the new White Cross Statement of Community Involvement document – it is an interesting read and we feel their interpretation of the facts differs from the reality expressed in the community.
UPDATE: 3rd July 2024 – proposed temporary Park and Ride at Saunton
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UPDATE: 25th June 2024 – proposed temporary Park and Ride at Saunton
We want to draw your attention to last night’s Parish Council agenda item 5 g which is detailed below:
“Pre-Planning Application
5 (g) ENQ/1094/ 2024
Proposed: Non-residential development for a proposed temporary Park and Ride comprising a temporary use of an agricultural field to relieve pressure from Saunton Sands car park during the construction phase of White Cross Offshore Windfarm
Location: Land off B3231 Sauton Road Saunton Braunton EX33 1LW
Applicant: Kathryn Humber”
Our Chair attended the meeting as a member of the public but the Council Chair directed that in the absence of any detail it could not be discussed. It would seem that the Parish Council are now awaiting a response from Jenni Meakins – Senior Case Officer, to the Parish Council’s request for information. So at this time we have to wait to hear further from the Parish Council.
Whether the LPA provide the requested detail is a mute point. Best practice for planning process is that interested parties are consulted at a pre app stage but it is not a statutory requirement. NDC LPA have historically declined to share pre app requests on the basis that they are confidential.
That said can a potential site be inferred from what is in the public domain?
We know that the applicant will be constructing a major access point and compound west of the Broad Lane/Blind Acres staggered junction on the B3231. Evidenced in Chpt 5 – relevant paras attached and location map pdfs
It would make sense from a developer’s point of view to look for a proposed parking site between that of the proposed Access 3 area and Saunton Sands so as to contain the area of development and minimise proposed shuttle route. Based on these assumptions a general area where the proposed carpark could be located is indicated on attached google map screen shot.
Raises question of why has this suddenly popped up? Certainly not floated at recent public pr event.
Is it to allay fears about access to beach and/or realisation that a large part of carpark will be out of bounds or safety issues around members of the public being in and around a construction site or all of these points?
This corridor of land is also adjacent to a number of the water flows that go into the marsh area. Potential further implications for the environment and the ecology.
Impact on existing carpark business?
In the absence of tangible detail the projected proposed area of carpark site and potential issues are at this time is a scenario based on known detail from the WX application.
The Parish Council are aware of interest in the outcome of their enquiries but they should alsobe aware of the increasing concern at the potential expansion of the proposed area of development by the applicant in our valued and sensitive landscape.
See Documents:
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24th May 2024 – please find below the link to the latest submission from Natural England. It states:
‘Having thoroughly considered the potential impacts from the proposed White Cross project,
we advise that due to the significant ecological risk posed by the project on the South West
GHB (Greater Horseshoe Bat) population, surveys following best practice guidance should be undertaken between
April and October 2024 (inclusive), to inform any application addendum‘.
However, at the Public Consultations this week the White Cross team insisted the meetings were part of the preparation for their submissions 1st July 2024.
As Love Braunton suggested, ahead of the May 21st Public Consultation, Ecology Surveys were an area of concern. We stated that the applicant’s response dated 18th March to the LPA’s request for further surveys indicated a reluctance to do any further work after May 2024, particularly in respect of second full year of surveys as it would adversely impact their timelines.
We ask what is driving their timelines – highest environmental protection of our landscape or least cost to them?
Natural England’s letter indicates that we are right to be concerned and that the applicant’s public pronouncements of caring for the environment have little weight.
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20th May ’24 – Suggested areas of questions to ask at the Public Consultations on Tuesday 21st in Braunton and Wednesday 22nd May in Instow- see below for venues and times:
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Please attend the proposed consultation sessions with your questions and challenges to the proposal.
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UPDATE – 1st May ’24
Love Braunton have been contacted via email by White Cross Wind Farm Project Team to advise of their new round of public consultations being held on:
- Tuesday 21st May 2024, 11am to 4pm, at Braunton Parish Hall, 5 Chaloners Rd, Braunton EX33 2ES
- Tuesday 21st May 2024, 6pm to 8pm at Isaac Hall, Braunton Academy, Barton Ln, Braunton EX33 2BP
- Wednesday 22nd May 2024, 11am to 6:30pm, at North Devon Cricket Club, The Pavilion Sandhills, Bideford EX39 4LF
We understand that White Cross have retained the services of Coast Communications – https://www.coastmarcoms.co.uk/about-us/, who describe themselves as “providing public relations and strategic communications support to public and private sector clients right across the UK”. The Case Studies on their website are an interesting read and indicate the activities that Coast Communications are involved in.
It would appear that the White Cross website has already had a makeover in respect of FAQs, so our expectation is that these new events will also be a step up from those held in 2023 by the applicant.
That said, fine words cannot address the potential damage this planning application will inflict if it were to be approved. The applicant has still to submit the additional detailed information requested – they have said this will be done by 1st July 2024 although their response to the LPA dated 18th March 2024 evidences that they are challenging the need for it!
Please make a note of these dates in your diary and attend the proposed consultation sessions with your questions and challenges to the proposal. The Parish Council open meeting demonstrated to the White Cross Project Team how well informed residents are and as such will certainly see through the latest PR rhetoric from the developer and their comms team.
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UPDATE – 4th MARCH ’24
The Case Officer wrote a detailed letter to the applicant requesting further information and clarification:
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19th March the applicant responded:
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Love Braunton letters to North Devon Planning regarding the extension for the determination of this application as the applicant is now required to under-take further surveys (15.12.23 and 05.01.24):
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Response from NDC Case Officer 16.01.24:
Dear Love Braunton,
Thank you for your email. I can confirm that whilst the regulations allow for agreement following the expiry of the statutory period for determination, I agreed with the applicant on the 8th January 2023 to an extension of time with the precise date being agreed following discussion and the formulation of an appropriate timeframe. This has now been agreed as the 1st July 2024. The relevant letters will be publicised shortly.
I trust the above satisfies your queries.
Regards,
Neale Hall
Case Officer – Whitecross onshore development proposal Strategic Development & Planning | Place Services | North Devon Council | Barnstaple
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Reply from Love Braunton 18.01.24:
Dear Mr Hall
Thank you for responding to our letter dated 5th January and confirming that an extension has been agreed with the applicant to the 1st July 2024.
We note from your mail to the applicant dated 16th January 2024 that additional information will be submitted by 23rd February 2024 which will then be subject to public consultation.
We note that the relevant letters will be publicised shortly.
Kind regards,
Love Braunton
Briefing Notes – Love Braunton is submitting briefing notes to members of the Planning Committee ahead of their meeting – these can be found below:
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Love Braunton’s first letter of objection (26.10.23) to the on-shore cabling proposal:
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Love Braunton’s second letter of objection (03.11.23) to the on-shore cabling proposal:
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Love Braunton’s third letter of objection (12.11.23) to the on-shore cabling proposal:
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Submission on Planning Portal: we believe that this submission illustrates very well why the White Cross onshore application is of no benefit to our local community and the wider South West:
Natural England’s Consultation response dated 3/11/23 is now on the Planning Portal – Application link: https://planning.northdevon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/77576 Documents tab / Consultation Responses
The response is a comprehensive 153 page consideration of the White Cross application that they summarise in their opening statement as: “After reviewing the Application documents, we feel that there remain a number of fundamental concerns in relation to the application as currently submitted. Until further information/evidence and updated assessments are provided we are unable to agree with the Applicant’s conclusions, advise on the significance of any impacts and appropriateness of any mitigation measures. Natural England therefore requests the Application is put on hold until the required information/evidence is provided.”
Love Braunton statement given at Braunton Parish Council meeting 24th October ’23 where the application was rejected by the Council:
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Presentation given at public meeting 12th October ’23:
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If you have any questions please email us at: connect@lovebraunton.org and we will try to answer them.
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The proposal is in response to the well-known need for sustainable energy. The power generated by the turbines would be fed into the National Grid via a cable that would run in part along the seabed until landfall at Saunton Sands, when the cable will then pass across the land to Crow Point where once again it will go under the estuary up to the sub-station at east Yelland. The proposed route crosses landscape that is both sensitive and in some cases designated.
We draw attention to the Parish Neighbourhood Plan where a number of policies are applicable to this application.
The biggest concern is the impact on the village and local economy during the construction period, which is currently predicted to be 2 years, with up to 92 HGV trips per day along Caen Street and main parts of Saunton beach fenced off. Construction will also impact the local ecology.