Saving the Heritage Coast 

Controversial blow for developers as East Riding of Yorkshire Council Planning Committee refuse plans to erect a 60 metre Met Mast proposed for the Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast.

At the meeting held on the 8th July 2011 Councillors on the Committee defied the Officer’s Report which recommended the Application for Approval, Cllr Margaret Chapman, who represents the East Wolds and Coastal Ward, heavily criticised the Case Planning Officers Report, saying it was ridiculous to suggest Danes Dyke could be used to screen the proposed 200 ft structure which would be situated on much higher ground and in open landscape and could easily be seen from the surrounding coast including Bempton Cliffs.

Local campaigner David Hinde took the lead in the fight against the Application, his first challenge was the consultation process which David, like so many of the Counsellors felt was inadequate. David stated “until press coverage this week, initiated by me, the local population except for a handful of people were unaware of this planning threat, yet discussions have been going on with East Riding of Yorkshire Council since December 2010”. He complained that the most affected people had not been notified; it’s thanks to his quick actions that local people were kept informed and able to comment, including Flamborough Parish Council who were able to submit a last minute two page objection to this proposal and No to Wolds Wind Farm Group whose mission to Protect the Yorkshire Wolds and Our Heritage Coast From Unsuitable Wind Farm Developments compiled a detailed group objection which stated “this is a site of major historical importance and therefore must be safeguarded at whatever cost. The Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast has not been awarded this high landscape designation to allow the skyline to be inflicted with alien and incongruous features; it has been designated so that we can protect the historic qualities for many generations to come. A 60 metre met mast is clearly part of a Commercial Renewable Project and therefore goes against your own local policies, set by you.”

This message against was reinforced as David spoke against the application at the planning meeting he stated “This application for a 60 metre (200 ft) Wind Monitoring Mast is part of the major threat to the Yorkshire Wolds and Yorkshire’s Heritage Coast and specifically to the Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast, a protected high quality landscape area and an ancient landscape containing major Heritage features including Danes Dyke and many nationally & internationally important wildlife sites. The Planning Officers Report grossly understates the impact and threat to the Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast landscape”.

As the meeting progressed Councillor Chadwick proposed rejection, which was quickly seconded by Councillor Bryan Pearson, saying “I cannot agree more with everything David Hinde has said “This special area must be protected.”

At the vote only one Councillor was in favour of the application, meaning that the message “Not on Our Heritage Coast” was clearly sent out in line with the Council’s plans to protect and regenerate the Flamborough Heritage Coast and build on its tourism importance.