New Balance Turbine Appeal Success

Hedley Planning have recent Appeal success on behalf of New Balance Athletic Shoes (UK) Ltd for the installation of a 1MW Wind Turbine (75m Tip Height).

The factory has a 40-year association with Allerdale and is one of the largest employers in the area, with almost 300 people on site. The Flimby factory is ideally situated adjacent to the Solway Coast to benefit from the breezy aspect.

As a business New Balance takes its climate responsibilities very seriously and has committed through RE100 Climate Group to sourcing 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025 across all global New Balance operations. This has been demonstrated by the business’s investment in 3 solar arrays at the Flimby factory which currently generate approximately 30% of its electricity.

Hedley Planning oversaw the preparation and management of the public consultation process and original application, including technical noise, aviation and shadow flicker assessments, as well as ecology and highways impacts.

The application was recommended for approval by the Local Planning Authority, however, was subsequently refused at Planning Committee against Officer Recommendation. Hedley Planning subsequently managed the Appeal process to respond accordingly to refusal reasons provided.

Within their decision, the Inspector agreed that all submitted technical information addressed matters raised by the community; they also attributed significant weight to the Applicant seeking to meet energy needs by renewable sources, thereby reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.