July 5, 2011
England

Vale of Berkeley wind park refusal challenged

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 4 July 2011

A decision to refuse planning permission for a wind farm in Gloucestershire is to be challenged.

Energy provider Ecotricity wants to build four 120m (394ft) high wind turbines in the Vale of Berkeley.

The application for the turbines was turned down by Stroud District Council in April because of its potential impact on the environment.

An appeal is due to be lodged with the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol which will consider both sides of the case.
‘Not intimidated’

Campaigners from Save Berkeley Vale said they had believed Ecotricity would go to appeal.

“We have plans in place for this eventuality, and Save Berkeley Vale will not back down. We will not give up the battle and will not be intimidated.

Dale Vince, MD of Ecotricity, said the wind farm would produce enough green electricity for more than 7,000 homes.

“This was always a decision that didn’t make any sense to us. Britain doesn’t have the luxury of turning down projects like this just because a tiny minority of people don’t like the look of them.

“We Britons need to harness our indigenous clean energy sources, like the wind.

“Our appeal just wastes time and money (ours and the council’s) getting the right decision – the one the council planning department actually recommended.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/05/vale-of-berkeley-wind-park-refusal-challenged/