December 14, 2007
England

Have your say on wind farm plans

Planners considering an application to build a huge wind farm close to Grantham are encouraging people to submit their comments on the plans as soon as possible.

Campaigners against the plans for a site at Thackson’s Well, near Long Bennington, have called for an extension to the statutory 21-day period in which comments on planning applications can be received to allow for Christmas holidays.

But South Kesteven District Council is legally obliged to stick to the time-frame, although planners have said comments or new evidence submitted after this time will be taken into account. Any submissions received after the application is put on the agenda to be considered at a planning meeting will not be included.

Planning services’ Mark Shipman said: “We appreciate this application is a sensitive one and we’ll have a lot of information to consider alongside comments from local people.

“We’ll also be looking at the appeal decisions for similar applications elsewhere in the country.

“The 21-day period is the legal length of time we have to receive comments on applications before we can make a decision.

“By law we must reach a decision within 16 weeks. If this doesn’t happen the applicant (but not objectors) can appeal against non-determination.

“We maintain a very open mind on this one and we must balance the rights of people making objections with the rights of the applicant.”

The statutory consultation period is due to end on Thursday, January 10 and planners aim to make a decision by the end of March. The consultation period begins a week today, not last week as originally stated on SKDC’s website.

* See the plans and supporting documents by visiting www.southkesteven.gov.uk

* For more information on the BLOT campaign against the plans visit www.blot-online.org

* To find out more about the plans by Infinergy visit www.thacksonswellwindfarm.co.uk

Grantham Journal

14 December 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/14/have-your-say-on-wind-farm-plans/