December 13, 2011
England

Plans for Leeds’ first wind farm approved

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 9 December 2011

Plans to build Leeds’ first wind farm have been approved by the Planning Inspectorate.

The five-turbine wind farm will be situated on land near Garforth, close to the junction of the M1 and A1.

Developer Banks Renewables said the site could power about 8,000 homes.

Jon Crossley, who spoke at a public inquiry into the planned wind farm in October, said he hoped the impact of the turbines would be “as minimal as the developers suggested”.

Mr Crossley, who is chairman of Micklefield Parish Council, added: “I hope we won’t be proved right on the impact that we fear the site will have.

“They are in green belt. They can’t fail to have an impact if, or when, they are built.”
‘Jobs created’

The turbines will measure 125m (410ft) to the tip of the blades.

Banks Renewables said the wind farm, at Micklefield, could create about 30 jobs during the construction process.

Mark Dowdall, from the company, said: “We have always believed that the Hook Moor wind farm was a well thought out and sensibly-sited project and are extremely pleased that the many benefits of the scheme have been recognised through the inspector’s decision.

“This scheme’s location, in an area next to the motorways that does not yet have any renewable energy generation, makes it especially important.

“It will play a key role in enabling Leeds City Council to meet its immediate and future renewables obligations.”

Proposals for the wind farm were rejected by Leeds City Council in 2009 after an objection from the Ministry of Defence.

An appeal was submitted, but this was rejected by a government inspector at the end of 2010.

No date has been set for construction work on the wind farm to begin.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/13/plans-for-leeds-first-wind-farm-approved/