Case studies

The "Grands Communaux" project (Côte-d'Or, 21)

The "Grands Communaux" project comprised 13 wind turbines in the rural communes of Antheuil and Saint-Jean-de-Bœuf in Côte-d’Or.

The project was highly controversial because it was mainly located in a protected area that is part of the Natura 2000 network. The area is an important habitat for a number of endangered bird species including raptors such as the peregrine falcon.

We undertook an comprehensive alternative visual impact study comprising over 150 unique videos and still images using a combination of Streetview images, custom photographs and simulations using a high-resolution digital surface model. These images were hosted on a custom-designed website.

The project was rejected by the préfet of Côte-d’Or in Dec 2024.

The "Hauts de l'Armançon" project (Yonne, 89)

This proposed project comprises 18 241 metre-high turbines in communal forests between the communes of Nuits and Aisy, an area already saturated with 250 wind turbines within a 30km radius.

We were asked to examine the potential visibility of the project from key historical sites, including Le Château d'Ancy-le-Franc (using images taken from the windows of the château as well as its grounds) and La Grande Forge de Buffon, as well as from surrounding villages.

The Sussey wind farm project (21)

This project involves five 230 metre turbines installed close to the existing wind farms of Allerey and Beurey-Bauguay (Auxois sud) and less than 1,500 m from two neighbouring villages.

Our visual study demonstrates the overhanging effect of the wind turbine on the villages of Ogny (and its historic small château) and Sussey, as well as its visibility from the historic medieval hilltop village of Mont-Saint-Jean.

The "Vents du Serein" project (89)

A project to build six 180 metre wind turbines in the communes of Poilly-sur-Serein and Sainte-Vertu (89), an area already densely populated with turbines.

Our videos have been used in legal proceedings to show the impact of the project on a number of heritage sites (including the church of Saint-Pierre in Sainte-Vertu, in the video on the right) and to argue that the project breaches the rules on saturation.