August 20, 2011
England

Appeal launched over windfarm proposals

Lynn News, www.lynnnews.co.uk 20 August 2011

Developers seeking to build a windfarm close to four West Norfolk villages have launched an appeal against borough councillors’ decision to reject the scheme.

News of the latest twist in the row over the proposed Jack’s Lane windfarm emerged late on Wednesday afternoon – more than three weeks after the West Norfolk Council’s development control board refused permission for the scheme.

Fears over the impact on neighbouring residents, the habitat of local wildlife and tourism levels in the area were all cited as concerns by councillors during the meeting on July 25.

But Simon Peltenburg, senior project manager for the developers RES, said this week: “Of course the windfarm would be an addition to the local landscape, but we must balance a change in the view against the fact that we have to find more sustainable ways of producing electricity while also reducing our CO2 emissions.

“Well designed windfarms like Jack’s Lane need to be approved to increase the security of our energy supply and ensure that our landscapes are protected from the effects of climate change.”

But Jonathan Powell, chairman of the Creakes Action for Protecting the Environment (CAPE) campaign group, said: “The amount of carbon that will be saved by this windfarm is so small as to have no bearing on the issue.”

Mr Powell said the group would do everything it could to support the borough council in defending their original decision.

He admitted the group would need to raise funds to finance legal representation if the case goes to a full inquiry. But he insisted: “We will be as robust as we possibly can.”

The appeal is the latest to be lodged relating to a windfarm proposal after E.On challenged the council’s refusal of permission for their plans to build a windfarm at the nearby Chiplow site. An inquiry into that proposal is due to take place in November.

Meanwhile, it is expected that plans for another controversial windfarm scheme – the Ongarhill development close to Clenchwarton and Terrington St Clement which has already attracted strong opposition – will be submitted to planners in the next few weeks.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/20/appeal-launched-over-windfarm-proposals/