March 29, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Councillors have rubber-stamped their decision to block plans for a windfarm in the Eden Valley.
Members of Eden Council’s planning applications committee went against the recommendations of their own officers in turning down proposals for the three turbine development at Hoff Moor, near Appleby, last month.
Because of that the matter had to come back before members last week so they could formally agree the reasons for refusal.
They voted unanimously for a motion, which read: “By virtue of the size of the turbines and their siting on an elevated site in open countryside they would be a discordant element over a wide area.
“As such the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the character and quality of the landscape and have a significant adverse effect on local amenity, by reason of their high visibility from sensitive locations.”
The motion then quotes various planning policies that the proposal falls foul of, before going on to say: “It is considered that these adverse impacts would not be outweighed by the energy contribution and other benefits of the development.”
The turbines, 95m high to the tip of the blades, could have supplied power to more than 2,000 households for the next 25 years.
But at their original meeting councillors voted 13-0 against the plans after hearing from local objectors.
The proposal to reject the application was put forward by councillor Bryan Metz (Independent Group) and seconded by councillor Michael Davidson (Independent).
Among those attending were representatives from a pressure group called Community Opposed to Shap Turbines (COST).
It is expected an application to build a large windfarm on land straddling the M6 close to the village will be submitted to Eden Council shortly.
23 March 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/29/windfarm-plan-blocked/