Has anyone submitted a planning application for a micro wind turbine? 16 December 2022 at 7:52PM in Green & ethical MoneySaving 12 replies 434 views

Screwdriva

Greetings all,

I'm exploring the potential of installing a SD3 grid tied wind turbine in a corner of our small garden, to boost our grid exports over PV. It will be mounted on a 6m high Taperfit hydraulic monopole. Right now, the proximity to the boundary wall and home prevent it from permitted development status. This means a planning application to our council would need to be approved. Has anyone submitted a successful application to a council?

Thanks in advance!

Alnat1

From what I recall of your property, your garden is pretty small and there are lots of other properties around it. How noisy is the turbine? I would have thought your neighbours would have something to say about it, especially in summer with the windows open. 

Screwdriva

Alnat1 said:

From what I recall of your property, your garden is pretty small and there are lots of other properties around it. How noisy is the turbine? I would have thought your neighbours would have something to say about it, especially in summer with the windows open. 

I've installed a few micro turbines in the mid-2000s. The tech hasn't matured significantly since then so I can only assume that they are still no noisier than a small generator. I doubt the neighbours would object (I'm surrounded by tree huggers) but you never know. 

The 6 m pole is < 2 feet in diameter and will easily fit in the corner of the garden. It's the council planning I'm  concerned about. It's just that I don't know anyone else motivated (crazy) enough to attempt this! 

ispookie666

No experience

But I presume you will need to declare all noise generation equipments on site and will end up needing a noise assessment. 
Did you have ASHP? 
Sleeping dogs is what comes to mind ,☺️

You could trawl through approved planning applications and see. I remember seeing one in South Cambridgeshire a while ago for an onsite wind turbine (the tiny one) attached to a portakabin. 

sevenhills

Alnat1 said:

From what I recall of your property, your garden is pretty small and there are lots of other properties around it. How noisy is the turbine? I would have thought your neighbours would have something to say about it, especially in summer with the windows open. 

I have only ever driven past a large turbine, never heard of anyone commenting about the noise.
I can hear the noise of the motorway on quiet nights from outside my house, but not during the day.
The very large ones are less than 50m away from businesses and 200m away from dwellings.
I guess it would very much depend on the type of noise.

Solarchaser

I'd suggest looking on your local authority website for planning permission and trawling through to see any previous requests, as the local department in Glasgow City has different regulations from the one in Lanarkshire etc etc, so unless a responder is in the same la area, it won't really help you I'm afraid. 

gefnew

This may help with some of your questions.
The Complete Guide to Small Wind Turbines For Your Home - The Eco Experts

Screwdriva

Solarchaser said:

I'd suggest looking on your local authority website for planning permission and trawling through to see any previous requests, as the local department in Glasgow City has different regulations from the one in Lanarkshire etc etc, so unless a responder is in the same la area, it won't really help you I'm afraid. 

Cheers!

I was surprised by how similarly bureaucratic the applications are. I'm keen on locating a successful application for a micro turbine as a starting point and will then proceed with customization for my own location/ council etc. No luck finding one with my own council yet. 

sevenhills said:

I guess it would very much depend on the type of noise.

Best way to describe a micro turbine's sound is to imagine an indoor fan spinning at its fastest speed. And then to triple that sound. A "whoosh" on the windiest of days. Otherwise silent. 

Alnat1

How close would it be to your neighbours?

Screwdriva

Alnat1 said:

How close would it be to your neighbours?

10-12 meters or so

70sbudgie

Does the website of the turbine manufacturer have any case studies? Might give you an idea of a council to look at for an approved installation.

Edit: I've just looked at the link you included. Two case studies, rural small holding and Isle of Eig.