UK ministers have delayed a decision once again on Good Energy’s appeal for the 38.5MW Big Field wind farm in Cornwall.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will issue its decision by 21 March on the 11-turbine project to be built on a ‘subsidy-free’ basis near Week St Mary.
DCLG previously extended the decision deadline to 7 March from 31 January.
Ministers requested supplementary information in light of Cornwall Council adopting a new local plan since the Planning Inspectorate submitted its report to DCLG last October.
The adoption of the local plan makes it a material consideration in Communities Secretary Sajid Javid’s pending decision.
The Cornwall local plan does not allocate sites for wind development.
To comply with ministerial policy, the plan states wind projects should be developed in areas allocated for wind in neighbourhood plans.
Planning sources said in the absence of neighbourhood plans, the decision could rest on whether Good Energy can demonstrate Big Field will be led or meet the needs of local communities.
The Chippenham developer proposes community benefits of £5,000 per megawatt plus a 20% discounted energy tariff for locals.
Good Energy is also developing proposals for local investors to own a majority equity stake in the project.
The initial Big Field planning application to Cornwall Council was refused in October 2014.
Image: Hampole wind farm (Good Energy)
