January 31, 2007
U.K.

'We're delighted with the decision'

Residents are celebrating after plans for a wind farm near Beverley were thrown out.

East Riding councillors unanimously rejected proposals to build a wind farm with 12 turbines up to 100 metres high at Routh, because of concerns they would spoil the views from Beverley Westwood.

As reported on the Mail’s website yesterday, councillors voted against the scheme proposed by Ridgewind Limited amid fears views of Beverley Minster, in particular, would be ruined.

Campaigners who fought against the plans said they were relieved their concerns had been taken into consideration.

Paula Cox, 42, of Park View, Routh, said: “We are delighted with the decision. We will now make sure we watch out in case Ridgewind decides to appeal the decision.”

Penny Higbee, 36, of Main Street, Routh, said: “We are over the moon.

“If the plans were accepted, the wind farm would have been a huge blot on the landscape.”

During yesterday’s meeting of East Riding Council’s planning committee, representatives from Ridgewind claimed the turbines would not sit behind or next to the historic Minster to ruin views.

However, councillors voiced their own concerns views from Beverley Westwood could be spoiled if the plans were passed.

Councillor Tony McCobb said: “It is probably the best-known view in the East Riding.

“Having a wind farm at Routh would spoil a classical landscape.”

Barry Norton, chairman of Tickton Parish Council, which incorporates Routh, also spoke at the meeting on behalf of residents against the scheme.

He said: “If the proposals go ahead we are told we will get community funds in return, but we are not for sale.”

Councillors also discussed plans for an application for a 12-turbine wind farm at a disused airfield in Lissett, near Driffield.

A decision on the proposals was deferred for developer Novera Energy Limited to gather more information on how the site might affect tourism in the area.

Wendy Lambert, 46, of nearby Kelk, said: “This will not just affect Lissett, it affects the whole area.

“We are now hoping it will be rejected when considered again, because it would be industrialisation of the countryside.”

The application will be considered at the next planning committee meeting on February 22.

j.hunter@hdmp.co.uk

Link

Ridgewind

www.flemingate-beverley.co.uk

East Riding Council

www.eastridding.gov.uk

thisishull.co.uk


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/01/31/were-delighted-with-the-decision/