January 27, 2011
England

Bill offers hope for wind farm protesters

www.thisistotalessex.co.uk 27 January 2011

Residents of the Dengie fighting plans for giant wind turbines could get some help from the new Localism Bill, the Prime Minister has promised.

Maldon MP John Whittingdale raised concerns about the wind farms in Prime Minster’s Question Time in the House of Commons.

He obtained an assurance that applications for onshore wind farms would be covered by the provisions of the Localism Bill.

Under the bill, powers would be given back to local authorities and local communities to decide which developments are appropriate for their area.

Communities will be able to draw up “neighbourhood plans” which will set out what is considered appropriate. This will be put to a referendum and, if passed, must be adhered to by the planning authority.

John Whittingdale said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister has confirmed that wind-farm applications will be covered by the Localism Bill.

“Once the bill is law, this means that local communities like those in the Dengie Peninsula will be able to decide for themselves whether they wish to have wind farms and not have them imposed by the planning inspectors.”

Pip Thorogood is the chairman of SIEGE, which is fighting a plan for nine turbines at Middlewick near Southminster. The plan was originally rejected by the district council, and Mr Thorogood believes the bill will come in too late to stop it.

A planning inquiry is set for March and Mr Thorogood said the Localism Bill was not due to become law for months.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/27/bill-offers-hope-for-wind-farm-protesters/