Project Benefits
Economic Benefits: local workers, short supply chains
The project will contribute to the local economy, directly - by creating construction-related jobs – and indirectly, in the supply chain. While the construction period is time-limited, this can be an important stimulus to the local economy and can have knock on impacts in terms of trickle-down spend. There will be a range of contracts available for tender. Further local jobs will be created once the wind farm is operational.
The project will also make an ongoing contribution to the local and wider economy through business rate.
If the project is consented, we will create a supply chain plan for the construction phase and beyond to support local businesses, innovation activities, skills initiatives and infrastructure.
If you are a local company and wish to register your interest, please email earlsburnextension@rsk.co.uk
Community Benefits
If the wind farm is approved, we will offer a community benefit scheme shaped by the local community. We are very flexible in terms of how the benefit package could be used and we want the community to decide what types of projects/initiatives it would like the fund to be used for. For example, it could be used to:
· help create ‘green’ jobs and apprenticeships;
· improve energy efficiency to reduce bills and carbon footprints;
· improve transport links in the area; and
· create new or improved community spaces.
The project will offer a community benefit fund to be developed and shaped by local people, worth around £5,000 per installed MW.
Whilst the provision of funding to host communities is encouraged by Government, there is a strict principle in the planning system that a decision about the merits of a particular proposal should be based on planning issues and should not be influenced by additional payments or contributions offered by a developer. Community benefits are therefore not considered to be relevant to decisions on whether to approve planning permission.