Here I found the website of the BWEA especially interesting. The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. On their website they outline the steps, everybody planning to build a windfarm should go through (Link: Interested in Building a Wind Farm? or more in detail: Best Practice Guidelines )

Here a short comprehension:

• Feasibility: assessment of windspeed, nearest accesspoint to the national grid and cost of necessary infrastructure( access roads...)
• Scoping: contacting groups who would have influence in the outcome of the project (e.g. MOD, civil aviation authority, Local Planning Authority, Local Community Groups)
• Planning and EIA: This involves the design and location considerations and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA's are required for all but the smallest windfarms and RES would be required to provide as EIA for the site near Longhirst.
• Pre-construction preparations: These include loans from the bank, finding a purchaser for the electricity...

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I have been made aware, that the government is proposing some changes to the planning process of major infrastructure including nuclear power stations, airports and windfarms. There are plans to remove community voices from the planning process.

It is worth watching this website: http://www.planningdisaster.co.uk/ .