Broadview proposes to increase the Slyer’s Lane community benefit fund

Broadview Energy is proposing to increase the Slyer’s Lane wind farm community benefit fund from £5,000 per megawatt (MW) to £7,500 per MW, if its proposal receives planning permission at a local level. Broadview has submitted an application to West Dorset District Council for six wind turbines on agricultural land to the north of Dorchester.

Broadview is proposing this increase on the basis that, if planning permission were to be granted at a local level, it will reduce the development timeline and therefore the development costs, allowing for construction to commence at an earlier date. Broadview is also proposing to enter into a legal agreement which will guarantee payment of the fund for the 25 year lifetime of the development.

The proposed six turbines will have an expected generating capacity of between 2-3MW each, providing a combined capacity of 12-18MW. Based on a community fund of £7,500 per MW, this will equate to between £90,000 and £135,000 each year, totalling between £2.25m - £3.375m over the 25 year lifetime of the project.

The fund, which is guaranteed irrespective of the wind farm’s performance, will be index linked and the first payment will be made within six months of construction. Broadview intends to work with the community during the construction of the project to establish an organisation, to be run by the community, which will administer the fund.

Tom Cosgrove, Broadview’s Development Manager, said: “A large proportion of the local community is already embracing the prospect of having a local wind farm at the Slyer’s Lane site, which will provide a much needed indigenous source of renewable electricity for 25 years. Broadview is committed to ensuring that those communities which host renewable energy projects receive a tangible benefit for doing so. As such, we want to pass on to the community the reduced costs associated with achieving planning approval at a local level.”

In addition to the community benefit fund, Broadview is also proposing to offer the community the opportunity to own a share of the wind farm if it goes ahead. If you have any ideas for the proposed community benefit or would like further details about potential community ownership, please contact us via our website or post your suggestions to Broadview Energy, 100 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 6HT.