December 22, 2010
England

Inquiry puts stop to 8-turbine wind farm

Lincolnshire Echo, www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk 22 December 2010

An eight-turbine wind farm proposed for land near Horncastle will not go ahead following an independent inquiry.

The proposals, by Enertrag UK, were for eight 125-metre turbines on land between Baumber and Wispington.

Following East Lindsey District Council’s failure to make a decision on the proposals in the allocated time scale, the plans were assessed by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate department, which has decided to dismiss the appeal.

Chairman of Baumber Windfarm Action Group, Melvin Grosvenor, said: “We have been totally vindicated and after three years of hard work and campaigning this has made it all so worthwhile.

“I believe the inspector came to this decision because it was completely the wrong site and understood the serious impact the wind turbines would have had on the wider Lincolnshire landscape.

“The result of the wind turbines would have been totally catastrophic for the Wolds if the proposals had gone ahead so we are planning a double celebration on New Year’s Eve as a reward for our efforts.”

Campaigners living near the proposed site sent in 891 letters against the proposal during the consultation period with just seven in favour.

The Ministry Of Defence also raised concerns and an independent report commissioned by East Lindsey District Council included concerns the turbines could distract motorists driving nearby.

Chairman of ELDC’s planning committee, Councillor Stephenson Eyre, said: “This is the result the council and community wanted. We successfully fought this appeal together.

“We made a robust argument as to why this application wasn’t appropriate for Baumber and the Inspector has agreed with us.

“We need to ensure any developments we are asked to consider are sensible for the suggested location and we will continue to look closely at all the applications we receive so we can do our best to protect our communities.”

At the time of going to press Enertrag had not responded to requests for a comment.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/22/inquiry-puts-stop-to-8-turbine-wind-farm/