Victory for anti-wind farm campaigners as appeal fails
A wind farm will not be allowed to be built in the Vale of Belvoir, a planning inspector has ruled.
The decision was announced this morning following an 11-day planning appeal in which developer Infinergy appealed against a decision by South Kesteven District Council to refuse planning permission for 10 turbines at the Thackson’s Well site near Normanton and Long Bennington.
Campaign group BLOT, which led local opposition to the plans, is celebrating victory.
Jamie Mawer said: “This is absolutely fantastic news.
“It gives groups like ours all over the country hope that these plans are not a done deal.
“This result has hopefully stopped a dangerous precedent being set and shown we aren’t naiive, gullible and apathetic.
“We stood up for what we believe in and weren’t going to be ridden roughshod over.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and helped us fight the plans.”
In his report, planning inspector David Lavender addressed issues of noise, impact on landscape amd implications for heritage assets such as Bennington Grange, Belvoir Castle and St Mary’s Church in Bottesford.
Summing up his decision to dismiss Infinergy’s appeal, he said: “I am left in no doubt that harm to the historic qualities of the landscape would result of such significant and unacceptable magnituse as to outweigh the electrivity generation benefits of this particular scheme in its entirety.
“The scheme as submitted would be unacceptably harmful to the historic environment of the area.
“Planning conditions of obligations cannot overcome this concern.”
More to follow.
By Jo Hall
17 November 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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