Regulation 13

Following Devon Wind Power's submission of the section 36 application and supporting environmental statement to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in September 2004, 4 months of consultation took place involving the local authorities, the public and the statutory consultees (English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency).

As a result of the consultation responses received, the DTI issued a direction under Regulation 13 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 requesting that additional information was supplied before the application was considered further Reg 13 letter.

With large scale development involving many issues like the Fullabrook wind farm proposal it is usual for further information to be requested. The Regulation 13 direction provided a formal means by which that information could be considered by those interested in the proposed development. The Regulation 13 direction was issued with the full backing of Devon Wind Power in order that additional survey information produced to supplement the environmental statement could be fully consulted upon by all those interested in the proposed development.

The Regulation 13 direction covered the following matters:

  • Further survey work for golden plover and lapwing
  • The control of Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed
  • Flood defence in relation to the position of the sub-station
  • North Devon AONB and the submission of further landscape and visual material
  • Further noise data
  • Ancient Highway survey work
  • Further shadow and flicker analysis at local school
  • Dormice survey
  • Socio-economic
  • Confirmation of means of connection to National Grid

The formal procedure ensured that the Regulation 13 information was advertised both locally and a further period of consultation was given in order that responses to it could be considered by the DTI before determining the application. Equally, the information was considered along side that already submitted in support of this application by North Devon District Council and Devon County Council.

The Regulation 13 consultation period ran until 31 August 2005, and copies of this additional environmental information can be viewed here | Reg 13 letter.