November 24, 2011
England

Council turns down wind turbine plans

Market Rasen Mail, www.marketrasenmail.co.uk 24 November 2011

Planners have thrown out proposals to put two wind turbines on the Wolds after an MP said it would be “a blight on the landscape”.

Major potato grower Northwold Farm wanted to erect the 34-metre wind turbines on its land in between Rothwell and Thoresway villages, but planners at West Lindsey council rejected the proposals, saying they would ‘unfavourably impact on this protected area of landscape beauty’.

Market Rasen MP Edward Leigh strongly objected to the proposals saying the wind turbines would be ‘inappropriate’ in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr Leigh said: “I am quite relieved to hear that the application to build these wind turbines has been refused.

“Wind farms are not just a blight upon the countryside, but also represent very poor value for money in terms of energy production for the grid.

“They are mindlessly subsidised with central government money at a time when many working families and individuals could do with a bit of tax relief, especially at the petrol pump.

“I salute the council for taking the views of the community into proper consideration and coming to the right conclusion regarding this proposal.”

Objections also came from the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, which had concerns about the turbines being visible from a large radius, including a public footpath and roads.

But applicant John Davey said his business had seen massive increases in its electricity bills and he believed wind turbines were the best alternative.

He said supermarkets were keen to show a reducing carbon footprint from food production and they were putting pressure on suppliers to adopt renewable energy techniques.

West Lindsey council’s refusal statement said: “The long-term visual intrusion of height and mass will unfavourably impact on this protected area of landscape beauty and for a predicted 25 years at least.”

It is not yet known whether or not the applicant will appeal the decision.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/24/council-turns-down-wind-turbine-plans/