May 7, 2008
England
England
Angry ramblers have condemned plans to build a wind turbine on the eastern edge of the Peak District.
Planning permission for the turbine, on White Edge, was granted by the Peak District National Park’s planning committee despite objections not only from walkers but also from Grindleford Parish Council.
The Derbyshire Ramblers’ Association says the decision to allow the turbine is astonishing and they would seriously detract from the character of the landscape.
Planning officers recommended the application be refused because it would not fit in with the landscape but councillors felt demand for renewable energy was too important.
The final decision on the turbine will now be taken by the national park authority’s full council at its May 23 meeting.
John Riddall, countryside secretary of the Ramblers’ Derbyshire Dales Group, said it was astonishing that the Park’s Planning Committee should vote for the application to be approved. “We would describe it as a betrayal of all the National Park is intended to stand for.”
A Peak District National Park Authority spokesman said plans for wind turbines were considered on a case-by-case basis.
He said: “Planning officers recommended the application be refused but, by a five to four margin, members of the planning committee felt the benefits of introducing a renewable energy scheme outweighed the concerns over the visual impact.”
By Jeni Harvey
7 May 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/07/park-ethos-betrayed-by-wind-turbine-vote-say-ramblers/