The Norton Energy Community
 

Project Timeline

In early 2010, Origin proposed two locations for single turbines in the Parish of Norton. These locations were the result of the work undertaken by Origin prior to the community engagement. An information pack was sent to every house and business in the Parish giving details of the scheme. (If you didn't see the original brochure you can download it here). During spring and early several demonstrations were given in the town halls where we answered questions about the scheme. People were invited to provide alternative locations for the turbines based on the materials we made available. In the end, we conducted a poll using the internet and postal voting to get an opinion on the scheme. By far, the scheme was whole-heartedly supported by respondents, though the view was expressed by some that more information was required before they could decide. We've always said that a household could make their opinion felt at any time and this can be done through the email addresses on the contacts page of this website. Households who do join will be issued with a share certificate to validate their membership of the company.

From August 2010, Origin carried out more detailed investigations of all the proposals. In preparation for a planning application, Origin contacted Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council who gave them a scoping opinion for the content of the Environmental Impact Assessment. Since then, Origin have looked at several aspects of how the turbines might impact on anyone and anything in the locality. This has included, noise assessments, wildlife assessments, visual impacts and telecommunication impacts. This work is ongoing and very comprehensive. The turbines could not be built if they were to have adverse impacts. So far no problems have been found and we are confident that a sound planning application can be made.

During that work and in conjunction with what we were heard at the consultations we have reduced the possible sites to three from which the best two would be chosen. Please see the details page on this website for details.

Planning permission was granted in December 2010 to erect a meteorological mast on one of the proposed sites. The mast will gather detailed wind measurements for the next year. This enables us to say with a greater degree of confidence how much energy the turbines could generate. Our current estimate, based on public wind data, is that the two turbines would generate around 13 GWh per annum. The mast was finally erected in April 2011.

In January of 2011, Norton Energy Community was registered as a Co-Operative, or Industrial & Provident Society. A few of the scheme's early supporters acted as initial registrants to enable it to get off the ground but every supporting household of the scheme will get one share certificate which gives them the chance to have a say on the running and decisions of the community company.

We hope to be in a position to submit a planning application in summer of 2011. Council has four months to consider the scheme and all its merits. Of high importance will be the the assessment of the economic investment over the life of the scheme. The opportunity exists for the community to decide how best to use the project proceeds to improve their environment. The lifetime of a turbine is around 25 years, which translates to a huge investment potential. Apart from the immediate issue of reducing energy use, we see the potential for new community projects, job creation, investment in farming and land products. The scope for investment would be decided by the community itself through its own deliberations.

It will be around summer of 2012 before construction could begin with an expected commissioning date of Winter of that year.

Origin Energy is committed to staying with the community throughout the lifetime of the project. We will take one share in the new community company like every other household. We will also offer the community company one share in Origin Energy.