November 30, 2011
England

Windfarm protest group looks for authorities to call for judicial review into plans

Northampton Chronicle & Echo, www.northamptonchron.co.uk 29 November 2011

A protest group said it holds some hope that a decision to grant a windfarm on the border of Northamptonshire will be argued.

Npower renewables won its appeal to build a 12-turbine wind farm located between the villages of Bozeat, Harrold and Lavendon following a public inquiry which ended last month.

The decision was made despite all three councils turning the application down.

But Brian Skittrall, chair of Bozeat and Lavendon Oppose the Turbines (BLOT), believes there could still be some light left at the end of the tunnel.

He said: “I have spoken with all three councils who are looking into the possibility of asking for a judicial review into the decision.

“It is a big commitment, it would be a big costly battle.”

The owners of the Lower Farm Stables in Lavendon fear the construction could put them out of business.

The riding stables said visitors would not want to risk spooking their horses by riding close to the turbines, which run along the bridle path.

The decision was granted on the same day the Localism Bill was made law, legislation which aims to give local communities more control over housing and planning decisions.

Mr Skittrall added: “It’s quite incredible that the decision was made despite so much local opposition and negative impact on our community.

“I believe things would be very different if the localism bill was already in place because this application is everything the bill stands up against.”

In his written report the planning inspector, Trevor Cookson concluded: “The degree of harm in landscape and visual amenity terms is limited.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/30/windfarm-protest-group-looks-for-authorities-to-call-for-judicial-review-into-plans/