March 21, 2008
England
England
A motion put forward by an anti-wind turbine councillor to stop structures over 75m tall being built in west Norfolk looks set to be rejected by the council.
Independent councillor David Markinson had put forward the motion in regards to the council’s approach to future planning applications for developments over 75m in height.
The motion will be discussed by West Norfolk council’s cabinet at their meeting on April 1, but the cabinet is asked to reject it as it would ‘undermine’ the council’s position.
Mr Markinson has been one of the campaigners at the forefront of trying to stop a potential wind farm being built in the village of Marshland St James.
He stood as an Independent anti- wind farm candidate in the Mershe Lande ward last year and defeated west Norfolk’s Labour leader, Jack Bantoft, who had held the seat for more than 18 years.
His reason for putting forward the motion was to protect the “visual and general appearance of the countryside”.
A report to the council said: “Although this is a blanket policy that will apply to any development, in reality, this resolution is only likely to affect proposals for new wind turbines.
“The council could not refuse to register planning applications relating to wind farms or any other form of tall development, even if this resolution were to be adopted.
“By adopting a blanket presumption against all schemes regardless of their merits the council would fail in its responsibilities to determine applications fairly and without bias.”
It concluded: “There is both a reputational risk to the council associated with adopting this resolution and a financial risk of having to engage in legal proceedings or with the Ombudsman arising from receiving an award of costs on appeal.”
Cabinet members are urged to reject the motion when they meet next month.
21 March 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/21/height-move-on-turbines-set-to-fail/