February 22, 2008
England
England
A new wind farm near Ilfracombe could be generating electricity by 2010.The date follows a High Court decision to fast track a judicial review of the planning application for Fullabrook Down.
The court’s decision means the outcome of the review should be known by this summer. And if the review is dismissed, contractors Devon Wind Power could make the wind farm operational by 2010.
DWP Chief executive Keith Pyne said: “This is very good news. There is a minimum two-year lead in time to buy the turbines, arrange delivery and sort out other operational issues before a wind farm can be built and start to generate electricity.
“We firmly believe the council’s case will be dismissed. This will give the green light to Fullabrook generating electricity in time for Devon to make a real contribution to meeting the Government’s renewable energy targets and help in the battle against climate change.”
Plans for the Fullabrook Down site hit the buffers when North Devon Council opposed planning permission for the site in 2005.
Although the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform granted the application last year, the council responded by seeking a judicial review at Christmas.
DWP asked the High Court for a quick court hearing so it could meet earlier pre-construction deadlines. This coincides with the Government’s 2010 target of producing 10% of the UK’s electricity from renewables.
Fullabrook Down, near West Down, is two miles south east of Ilfracombe and was chosen because some of the highest onshore winds in Devon have been recorded there.
A spokesman for DWP reckoned 22 110m turbines would produce enough energy for 37,000 homes – the electricity requirements for more than three-quarters of North Devon homes.
21 February 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/02/22/wind-farm-judicial-review-fast-tracked/