Hempnall turbines rejection is welcomed by villagers
Campaigners hailed a victory for south Norfolk’s rural landscape yesterday following the news that an onshore wind turbine development had been dismissed.
Plans for seven 125m-high masts at Hempnall, which were unanimously refused by district councillors last year, were subject to an appeal by Diss-based Enertrag UK.
Campaigners are celebrating after plans for seven wind turbines in Hempnall were turned down
Villagers yesterday welcomed the news that a planning inspector had thrown out the renewable energy firm’s application for land off Bussey’s Loke because of the impact on the local environment.
Residents are now eagerly awaiting the response of Enertrag, which has already scaled down a proposed wind farm at Tivetshall St Mary, near Diss, from six turbines to three.
Passing judgment on the Hempnall appeal, inspector David Lavendar said the proposed turbine area was “inherently attractive” and the development would pose “serious risk” to at least one local bat population of regional significance.
However, he added that wind masts could be appropriate in the area.
“I have no doubt that there is capacity for wind energy development at Hempnall, but turbine siting and mitigation should follow rather than precede further investigation of bat activity within the turbine fields and the overall extent of the proposed wind farm should be more responsive to the identified sensitivities of the local landscape,” he said.
The proposals were rejected by South Norfolk councillors last August and had received more than 600 letters of objection and 62 in support.
Michael Windridge, district councillor for Hempnall, said the decision represented a victory for local democracy and the Norfolk countryside’s “priceless assets.”
“I am all in favour of any sensible renewable energy scheme. This one was not and was sited in such an entirely inappropriate location,” he said.
Geoff Moulton, chairman of Hempnall Parish Council and chairman of SHOWT (Stop Hempnall’s Onshore Wind Turbines), added that he was “delighted with the decision.”
“This is excellent news and completely vindicates our opposition to the scheme,” he said.
A spokesman for Enertrag, which accused South Norfolk Council of being closed to green business during the planning inquiry, yesterday said the company was “disappointed” with the ruling and was currently assessing which way to go forward. The Hempnall development would have produced enough electricity for more than 7,000 households, the equivalent of more than 20 surrounding villages.
Adam Gretton
Diss Mercury
10 December 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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