June 23, 2008
England

Firm may appeal on wind farm rejection

The company behind plans for a controversial wind farm which was turned down by councillors has said it may appeal against the decision.

Npower Renewables had applied to build five 410-feet turbines and a substation on rural land at Earls Hall Farm near Clacton.

Tendring District Council’s officers had recommended the proposal be given the go-ahead, saying it would not have any significant environmental impacts.

But last week the council’s planning committee unanimously rejected the scheme which would provide power for between 5,000 and 6,000 homes.

Speaking afterwards, Iris Johnson, portfolio holder for planning at the district, said it had been a “very difficult decision” but said she realised there could be an appeal.

Npower Renewables confirmed to the EADT that it was considering an appeal.

Development manager Cath Stevenson said: “We are disappointed that Tendring district councillors didn’t take this opportunity to make a positive decision and act in support of renewable energy.

“A wind farm at Earls Hall could generate enough clean energy for thousands of homes each year.

“We will now look at our next steps and consider whether to appeal against this decision.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the wind farm.”

The wind farm site is in open countryside next to the villages of St Osyth and Little Clacton and near to the north west of Clacton.

A council report into the application revealed that the proposal would have no “adverse significant environmental effects” which could justify refusal.

Work is already underway on a major offshore wind farm at nearby Gunfleet Sands, which will supply power to about 120,000 homes.

Speaking after Thursday’s vote, Douglas Carswell, MP for Harwich, said: “I am very pleased. “There is no need to build these wind farms on shore.

“Hundreds are being built off-shore and that is the right place for them. They will have a serious impact on people’s quality of life in Clacton and the surrounding area. They are not nice eco-friendly sources of electricity, they are monster turbines.”

By James hore

East Anglian Daily Times

23 June 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/06/23/firm-may-appeal-on-wind-farm-rejection/