Banks Renewables’ planning application for the extension to the permitted lifespan of one of its wind farms has been approved by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
Banks Renewables was originally given permission to run the Hazlehead Wind Farm, in South Yorkshire, for 25 years.
Having carried out regular maintenance work at the site and reviewed its efficient ongoing operational performance, Banks last year applied for permission to extend the lifespan of the three-turbine scheme by 15 years, to 40 years’ duration.
No other aspects of the wind farm’s operation will change as part of the planning approval, no new turbines are being planned and all the existing planning conditions under which it operates remain unaltered.
The Hazlehead Wind Farm, which has been operational since 2011, generates over £8000 every year for the Hazlehead Wind Farm Benefits Fund, which supports community and environmental projects put forward by local voluntary groups and charities.
The fund will be extended for a further 15 years as part of the planning application approval.
Previous local grant recipients have included Dunford Parish Community Association, St Anne’s Church in Carlecotes and Penistone Community Radio.
Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: “The Hazlehead Wind Farm has been successfully generating significant amounts of clean green electricity for well over a decade.
“Our aim is to maximise the environmental, energy security and social benefits that all our onshore wind farms can deliver, and we are very pleased that that we will now be able to increase the contribution that the Hazlehead Wind Farm can make towards helping the UK achieve its Net Zero targets.
“Many local communities have already benefited from revenues generated by the wind farm and extending its lifespan means that even more capital will be available over a longer period to support projects across the surrounding area.”