GWFL Withdraws Application to Compulsorily Acquire EDF’s Land in Suffolk, UK

Galloper Wind Farms Limited (GWFL) has withdrawn its application under section 127 of the Planning Act 2008, to compulsorily acquire land currently owned and required by EDF Energy for the proposed Sizewell “C” nuclear power plant.

GWFL, as part of its plans for the Galloper Wind Farm project, requires land off the coast of Suffolk for proposed electric cabling to connect the offshore wind turbines to the National Grid. The land is located between the towns of Leiston and Aldeburgh.

EDF Energy’s plans for Sizewell “C”, which are still at the pre-application stage of the DCO process, have proposed a water cooling intake that falls within GWFL’s proposed onshore cable corridor. Formal plans, however, have not been submitted to PINS and EDF has yet to publish a timetable for its project.

GWFL had applied to PINS under section 127 for a certificate granting it powers under the DCO to compulsorily acquire the land from EDF. However both companies have stated that they were seeking to work together to reach agreement over the land to ensure that both projects can coexist. No details on any agreement reached between the parties have been published to date.

Examination of the Galloper Wind Farm project is due to close in just over 4 weeks.

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Press release, November 1, 2012; Image: galloperwindfarm