October 30, 2007
England
England
Councillors have rubber stamped their rejection of stage one of a wind farm scheme planned for land between Garforth & Micklefield.
Members of the city council’s plans panel east last month knocked back a bid by Banks Developments for permission to put up a 60-metre ‘monitoring mast’ on green belt land at Hook Moor, near Micklefield and Garforth.
But, earlier this week, it emerged that the council’s chief planning officer had advised panel members they could still change their minds and approve the application.
In the event, however, members voted to stick with their original decision at a meeting on Thursday.
Their stance was greeted with relief today by the Hook Moor Wind Farm Action Group, which has spearheaded opposition to Banks’s plans.
Group spokeswoman, Carolyn Walker, said: “We’re obviously pleased that the panel has not chosen to alter a decision that we’re convinced was correct.”
Durham-based Banks has pledged to launch an appeal.
The company wants to use data from the temporary monitoring mast to fine-tune its proposals for as many as eight propeller-style turbines, also at Hook Moor.
Each turbine would reach a height of 125 metres.
Banks says the development would generate enough energy for up to 10,000 homes without the production of environmentally-damaging greenhouse gases.
Campaigners, however, claim the site earmarked for the wind farm is unsuitable because of its proximity to people’s houses.
By Paul Robinson
26 October 2007
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Hook Moor Wind Farm Action Group: hookmoorwindfarm.org.uk
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/10/30/first-stage-of-garforth-wind-farm-scheme-rejection-confirmed/