Wind farm company withdraws application to access land for survey work

The company developing Triton Knoll offshore wind farm has withdrawn an application to access land for survey work.

RWE Innogy UK made the decision after a bid to carry out the survey for the project in the Orby area looked set to be refused.

The company was seeking compulsory access to private land to assess its suitability for work in connection with the scheme. The development could include installing underground cables, construction of an electrical compound and landscaping to reduce the visual impact of any onshore development.

Five landowners had refused the company access, one could not be contacted and two plots were not recorded with the Land Registry.

Industry regulator Ofgem had indicated that permission was likely to be refused as the land could not be classified as an extension to the offshore wind farm.

Triton Knoll project manager Jacob Hain said: “To ensure that enough is understood about the environment along the cable route and substation location and to minimise any potential impacts, RWE Innogy UK is required to carry out onshore surveys.

“The decision to apply to Ofgem to request compulsory access in order to carry out remaining surveys was very much done as a last resort.

“In light of the uncertainty which has prevailed following our application, we have withdrawn it and are reviewing our options.

“We continue to work closely with landowners and local communities and the development of Triton Knoll is progressing as planned.”

Permission was granted for the construction of the wind farm in 2013, but planning application has not been submitted for onshore work.

Bicker Fen near Boston has been identified as location for a substation.

Up to 288 turbines could be built.