July 30, 2008
England
England
Opponents to plans for a huge windfarm in the Yorkshire Dales have attacked the local council for taking vital decisions behind closed doors.
Plans for five, 300-foot-plus wind turbines at the centre of some of the most beautiful scenery in the North of England have been a source of bitter conflict for months – but Craven District Council has appointed a planning inspector to investigate the application without referring the proposal to its own planning committee, allege the Friends of Craven Landscape.
Decrying the lack of transparency, the pressure group claims the council “means to do everything behind closed doors.”
Spokesman Chris Emmet claimed:”These massive turbines will be clearly visible beyond Malham Cove in the national park, over seven miles away, yet the planning department has only consulted people living within three miles of the site.
“People have only until 22nd August to lodge objections but apart from a few nondescript planning notices, those living in Gargrave and beyond will be kept in the dark. If this wind farm gets planning permission, there is no appeal; anyone wishing to object must do so now.”
To lodge objections to the scheme, people should write to District Council’s planning consultant by 22 August 2008. Send your letter to John Martin, UrbanVision, GMGU, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester. M13 9PL. Quote the application number 05/2008/8885.
“If you want to know what’s happening, or if you want advice on how to object, contact Friends of Craven Landscape at 01756-748499 or email us at info@fcl2.co.uk” Chris Emmett added. “We’ll push to get this application before the full committee so the wishes of the wider community can be properly aired.”
30 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/30/dales-council-attacked-over-giant-windfarm-plans/