June 12, 2008
England

Clacton: Trouble blows up for wind farm plan

A controversial wind farm should be built between Clacton and St Osyth, according to planners.

Anti-wind farm campaigners said they are disappointed with the recommendation for the Earl’s Hall Farm site, off St John’s Road, by Tendring Council officers but they hope councillors, who will make the final decision next week, will vote against the plans.

The planning committee will decide on the application for five 125-metre-high turbines at a meeting at Clacton Town Hall at 7pm, on June 19.

A report by officers to the planning committee says: “The proposal accords with development plan policy and considers that there would be no adverse significant environmental effects, or other over-riding planning objections, which would justify the refusal of planning permission.”

South Tendring Acting to Protect our Local Environment (Staple) said Npower Renewables applied for planning permission for the turbines 16 months ago, but it was not until yesterday – eight days before the meeting – that officers published their conclusions.

A spokesman for the group said: “Staple is disappointed that the planners have decided to ignore the very strong case against the wind power station at Earl’s Hall Farm.

“But it is hopeful that councillors on the development control committee will now exercise judgement at the special meeting on June 19, and recognise the potentially negative consequences of letting the project go ahead.”

The campaigners claim the main issue which will affect the quality of people’s lives is noise, but they also fear proposals for a new estate bordering Little Clacton Road and St John’s Road would not be able to go ahead because it would be less than 1km from the turbines.

By James Dwan

Gazette

11 June 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/06/12/clacton-trouble-blows-up-for-wind-farm-plan/