Planning permission secured for Dual Doppler Wind Radar Stations

Bloomfields Chartered Town Planners are delighted to announce that planning permission has now been granted by both Swale Borough Council and Canterbury City Council for the temporary installation of Dual Doppler Wind Radar Stations as part of the Windfarm RADAR research project coordinated by Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES.

These specialist radar installations will play a key role in supporting advanced atmospheric monitoring and wind measurement research associated with the Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm. The installation of the Dual Doppler Wind Radar forms part of the Windfarm RADAR research project, which investigates the use of dual Doppler radar measurements to improve understanding of wind flow and wake effects in offshore wind farms.

The Dual Doppler Wind Radar Stations will collect highly detailed meteorological data, enabling researchers to develop more accurate models of wind behaviour and turbine performance. The information gathered will support innovation within the offshore wind sector and contribute towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of renewable energy generation.

Working alongside colleagues at our sister company, Lambert & Foster, who sourced suitable locations for the developments and negotiated complex lease agreements for the project sites, Bloomfields was pleased to support the applicant throughout the planning process. This included preparing and managing the planning applications, including pre-application submissions, and working collaboratively with both local planning authorities to secure these positive outcomes in challenging and constrained locations.

This project represents another successful outcome for Bloomfields in the renewable energy sector and highlights the important role that the planning system can play in facilitating research, innovation and the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

We would like to thank Officers at both Swale Borough Council and Canterbury City Council for their constructive and professional approach during the determination of these applications and look forward to seeing the project progress to implementation.

Image provided by: © Fraunhofer IWES/Frank S. Bauer