A major planning application and environmental management plan for a 380ha former RAF/USAF air-base site within an AONB, and adjacent to SSSIs, SPAs and a Grade I Listed Building. The compilation of the strategic masterplan necessitated extensive consultation, ecological survey, traffic studies, noise contamination, cultural heritage and a full landscape and visual impact assessment. The scheme contains proposals for the retention and re-use of existing buildings, for a variety of communal, agricultural and renewable energy uses including an innovative new biogas plant, in addition to heritage, tourism, and landscape and environmental enhancement. A detailed digital model of the biogas plant enabled the proposals to be accurately assessed in relation to sensitive views and mitigation with a high level of public and stakeholder consultation to gain approval for one of the first of its kind in the country and Winner of the RTPI East of England Planning Achievement Award 2009.
