Last updated 13:30, Thursday, 07 August 2008

A FIRM from Stocksfield has hit the right notes for one of the world’s top opera companies.

Alternative energy business North Energy has helped the Glyndebourne company win approval for a wind turbine on Glyndebourne Opera House in Sussex.

The personal approval by Secretary of State Hazel Blears maintains North Energy’s 100 per cent success rate with planning applications for wind projects.

North Energy’s primary aim is to provide a sustainable solution that is specifically tailored to its client’s requirements.

In the case of Glyndebourne, the size of the wind turbine was selected to supply clean renewable power equivalent to the opera house’s total annual electricity requirement, and to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by 70 per cent.

The Glyndebourne project is a typical example of the services provided by North Energy to assist clients with finding the most suitable site for wind turbines.

It then guides them through the United Kingdom planning process, delivers photomontage images, environmental impact assessments, wind monitoring services, public consultation programmes, and full pre- and post-planning application support.

Executive chairman of Glyndebourne Productions Gus Christie said: “North Energy’s consultancy has been invaluable; they advised us on the most effective and economic solutions to our renewable aspirations.

“North Energy’s planning expert Adrian Smith has been involved in the project at every level, including the preparation of the extensive planning application documents, assessing, with the assistance of relevant specialists, the impact of the proposal on local wildlife, archaeology, ecology, landscape, shadow flicker, noise and traffic generation.

“North Energy prepared visual projections and spoke at local and public planning meetings as well as giving evidence at the public enquiry in February. North Energy’s consultancy presented a strong case, which ultimately led to the decision by the secretary of state.”

North Energy will now forge ahead with the installation of a wind monitoring mast at the site and will assist Glyndebourne with the purchase of a suitable wind turbine.