April 12, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
A protest is gathering force at East Lothian Council’s go-ahead for a £30million wind farm at Aikengall, with residents being urged to write to the local government ombudsman seeking a review of the decision.
The rally cry comes from East Lammermuir Community Council, whose chairman Angela Foster said that members were “gobsmacked” by the decision and has questioned the manner in which it was reached.
Plans were approved last month, despite the council’s own planners warning that the 16, 125-metre tall turbines would have an “˜unacceptable impact’ on the natural beauty of the Lammermuir Hills.
Planning committee members were split over the controversial proposal, with six supporting the project and six against, and the deciding vote was cast by chairman Norman Hampshire.
Ms Foster questioned Mr Hampshire’s motivation for supporting the wind farm, and suggested that his ward of Dunbar/West Barns was set to receive “˜planning gain’/developer contributions from the development.
She added: “This could open a can of worms for other planning in East Lammermuir.”
Locals have been advised to write highlighting this “˜unfortunate coincidence’, along with the fact that the convenor went against the recommendations of his officials, and that his vote was needed to break the deadlock.
By East Lothian Newsroom
13 April 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/04/12/bid-to-block-wind-farm/