December 28, 2011
England

Mast plan blown out

Driffield Times & Post, www.driffieldtoday.co.uk 28 December 2011

A council decision to refuse permission for a wind monitoring mast at Nafferton has been praised by countryside campaigners.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has rejected a planning application from Gaoh Energy to build a 60 metre structure.

Councillors were concerned that the mast would have had a major impact on the open countryside.

Some members of the Planning Committee called for The Yorkshire Wolds to be made a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to enable its protection against future industrial wind farm and turbine applications.

The committee voted eight to two to refuse a 200ft wind monitoring mast on land east of Blakedale Farm.

Mr Bruce Temple, of Skeetings Farm, spoke against the application and asked the committee to protect the exceptional landscape quality in this part of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Councillor Jonathan Owen backed refusal and highlighted the fact that Welcome to Yorkshire had just announced that they are currently working with world renowned artist David Hockney on the creation of an official ‘Hockney Trail’ to promote the Yorkshire Wolds Landscape which has been the subject of a number of works by the artist

Chairman of the No To Wolds Wind Farm Group, Steve Hey, later praised the council decision.

He said: “This could be the wind of change needed, a significant moment where the bigger picture has finally been seen.

“It would seem the future protection of the Yorkshire Wolds has now become a high priority for ERYC”.

“There has never been a better time to work together and achieve a National Park or AONB status for one of this country’s finest landscapes.

“As a group we are now seeking ERYC support to get some form of designation underway and will also be requesting the full support of parish and town councils”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/28/mast-plan-blown-out/