Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Windfarm project withdrawn — but for how long?
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Energy developer scraps appeal but considers revised proposals for Podington site.
Plans for a giant windfarm in rural north Bedfordshire have been scrapped – but its opponents warn the battle is not over.
Nuon Renewables has withdrawn its appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against Bedford Borough Council’s decision to refuse permission for nine giant turbines at Airfield Farm, Podington.
However, the Campaign to Limit Onshore Wind Development (CLOWD), which has fought the proposals since the first application was submitted in October 2005, remains concerned about the Dutch company’s plans for the site.
Victoria Reeves, CLOWD supporter, said: “We are very glad Nuon has withdrawn its appeal, but the job is not done. We will continue to oppose any future application put in, and we have not ruled out that possibility.”
She added: “I cannot imagine why the appeal has been withdrawn, but it was a significant determination by Bedford Borough Council when the original applicati
on was refused.”
During consultation the borough council received 905 letters objecting to the planning application and 1,114 supporting it.
But permission was refused in June last year because councillors felt the turbines would impact on the landscape, harm the living conditions of residents, and be too close to public footpaths and bridleways.
Nuon Renewables denied the £20 million project would impact negatively on the area and launched an appeal in January.
A spokesman for Nuon Renewables confirmed this week that the company had withdrawn that appeal, but said development on the Podington site was still an option.
He said: “Airfield Farm is an excellent location for a wind farm. It is hoped that we will be able to begin generating clean electricity from the site in the not too distant future. As such Nuon Renewables is currently drawing up plans for a revised scheme.”
By Paul Fisher
10 April 2008
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
Wind Watch relies entirely on User Funding |
(via Paypal) |
(via Stripe) |
Share: