Nocton Fen Wind Farm - socio economics

Vol 1 - Chapter 13 - Socio Economics

I have extracted certain references that I believe best relate to the people who are likely to visit Nocton Fen, either as local residents or tourists. Whilst the Preliminary Environmental Report has forecast an overall benefit to the UK economy, with a predicted benefit to the local economy of Lincolnshire too, I am more concerned about the extent of the impact on visitors to Nocton Fen.

Preliminary Environmental Information

Para 13.3.151: '... Lincolnshire is seen as a place most suited to coastal and rural holidays and is known as a place with flat farming countryside... with the scenery being important to rural holiday makers...'

Para 13.3.175: 'There are a number of footpaths and PRoW in the vicinity of the Site. Many of the walking routes take advantage of the area's existing features such as Nocton Wood, Car Dyke, the Nocton, Dunston and Metheringham Fens; local churches; and the River Witham.'

Para 13.3.176: 'The PRoW in the vicinty of the Site serve as a draw for tourism and are also enjoyed by local people...'

Para 13.3.177: '... there are a number of walking routes throughout Lincolnshire designed to show off the county's best heritage and natural features. In North Kesteven alone... there are 18, including one which incorporates Nocton Fen.'

Para 13.3.178: 'Another notable route which is not part of the Stepping Out programme is the "Spires and Steeples Arts and Heritage Trail". The route runs from Lincoln Cathedral to St Denys' Church in Sleaford, and "brings together the rich history, heritage and local stories of the area".'

Para 13.3.187: '... Lincolnshire is home to a number of locations that provide good bird watching conditions. The Lincolnshire Bird Club is the authority on ornithology in the county. It regularly provides updates on bird sightings at Nocton Fen.'

Para 13.3.189: '... Lincolnshire Tourism commissioned Arkenford to conduct a domestic tourism survey...'

Para 13.3.192: 'In terms of the Project Site, rural breaks are the most relevant... of the three options given... (70%) was exploring rural towns. Next was escape and seclusion (22%)...'

Para 13.3.194: '... in the vicinity of the Project, the network of PRoW and the natural landscape encourages walking and wildlife enthusiasts; local residents and visitors alike.'

Para 13.6.26: 'The majority of residents' concerns related to the visual impact of the turbines such as the height of the turbines, the number of turbines proposed and the impact on the local landscape...'

Para 13.6.40: '... the impact on individual recreational users and user groups such as bird watchers, ornithologist groups, cycling clubs and cyclists, rambling groups and individual walkers, wildlife conservation groups, horse riders and clubs and other outdoor groups wishing to make use of public footpaths, bridleways and PRoW local to the Project... has been assessed as high... and they are of high tourism value.'

Para 13.7.25: 'The Regeneris Consulting and The Tourism Company Report (2014) indicates there is little evidence of local tourism impact with the majority of visitors being positive or indifferent about wind farm developments. The evidence base shows a clear majority of people do not react negatively to wind farm developments or change their visiting behaviour as a result.'

However, it is interesting to see the early signs that not all is good in Scotland...

Walkers are 'turning away from wind farm Scotland'

A new survey by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland finds two-thirds of people think turbines are making Scotland a less appealing place to visit

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10704654/Walkers-are-turning-away-from-wind-farm-Scotland.html

Survey shows visitors put off by wind farms

'The MCofS has carried out its own research into the effects of wind farms on hill-goers behaviour. The survey provides clear evidence that mountain-goers do not want to pursue their activity, and spend their money, in areas they regard as spoiled by industrial-scale wind farms. They are changing their behaviour to avoid such areas, and sometimes Scotland altogether. This is consistent with a trend in other surveys showing a rising proportion of discouraged visitors.'

http://www.mcofs.org.uk/tourism.asp

Call for study into potential impact wind farms have on Northumberland tourism

'... research should be conducted with visitors and local tourism businesses to build up a comprehensive evidence base of their perceptions of wind turbines.'

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/call-study-potential-impact-wind-4722686

Conclusions

The evidence is overwhelming that wind farms reduce the value of the scenery, what is not so clear is the economic impact of the reactions of tourists who might be affected by the proposed Project.

I have seen recommendations for a 'Tourist Impact Statement' to be made a specific part of the national planning process. This must incorporate robust, analytical and peer-reviewed research to assess the post-development impact of wind farm projects on local visitor economies... and should be carried out by an impartial party with no connection to the wind energy business... and possibly an academic report. It should examine the potential number of tourists who might be affected by the wind farm, the reactions of those tourists and then establish the economic impact of those reactions.

I think this is a great idea and one that Vattenfall should be made to produce as part of the planning submission.

Finally

I thought you might like to see some statistics from Vol 3. Appendix 13.A of the Preliminary Environmental Information. During construction, Nocton Fen Wind Farm has the potential to create contract values estimated to be up to £80 million.

Estimated Contract Value

• Construction: Balance of Plant (Civils and Electrical) - circa £15 million
• Construction: Turbine Supply - circa £47.5 million
• Construction and Operation: General Services - circa £0.5 million
• Operation and Maintenance: Long Term - circa £17 million

 Phew... if that is what is being paid out, what the hell is the turnover being generated... and from whom?

I'm sure the income generation figures will be 'Commercial in Confidence', but taking the size and number of turbines to be erected on Nocton Fen, this project could possibly generate income in the region of £14 million per year - circa £350 million over their lifetime of 25 years. Even with subsidies being removed for onshore wind, this is still a vast sum of money, easily covering any overheads Vattenfall may have. It will also put into perspective the funds being made available for Community Projects.

How much profit will a turbine turn?

'Developers of wind farms offer 'sweeteners' to local communities, but they may be tiny compared to the revenues.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/9120756/How-much-profit-will-a-turbine-turn.html