August 29, 2007
England
England
A plan to build what would have been among the biggest wind turbines in the UK on the Huntingdonshire border has been thrown out.
Wind energy firm Enertrag UK was hoping to build six 125-metre high turbines at Ellands Farm, near Great Gidding.
Enertrag appealed against the initial rejection of the scheme by East Northamptonshire District Council, but last week a planning inspector rejected that appeal.
The Government’s planning inspectorate officer Alan Gray ruled that the wind farm would impact too heavily on its immediate environment.
The report states: “The adverse impact of the proposals on the character and appearance of the rural surroundings, and of the users of nearby public rights of way, are not offset by the need for renewable energy.”
Derek Capp, chairman of the No Ellands Wind Turbines action group, said: “This fight has taken over the lives of myself and many other local people.
“We are delighted with the decision. We all want renewable energy but these turbines would have loomed over three lovely little villages.
“Every time you went into the garden you would not have been able to escape them. We hope that this decision has helped save the Nene Valley.”
John Garner, district councillor for Sawtry, said: “This is a lovely area of the country and I was pleased to hear that the appeal had been turned down.
“I believe that wind turbines are necessary but sometimes there is a need for compromise and in this case it seems people have been sticking up for their livelihoods.”
However, a spokesman for Enertrag UK said the firm had not yet given up hope of building wind turbines at the site.
The spokesman said: “We are disappointed with the decision as we felt Ellands Farm was a suitable site. We would like to know where we are expected to put the wind turbines that are needed.
“We are considering all options, which might include asking for a judicial review or submitting a revised planning application.”
INFORMATION: If Enertrag wish to further appeal the decision of the planning inspector, it must lodge its intention to do so by October 9.
29 August 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/29/protesters-delighted-as-turbine-plan-is-rejected/