January 12, 2012
England

“Rape of countryside” claim sees Weybourne to Great Ryburgh windfarm cabling plan rejected

Eastern Daily Press, www.edp24.co.uk 12 January 2012

The development of a huge offshore windfarm could be delayed after plans to bury the necessary cabling under 28km of north Norfolk countryside were unexpectedly thrown out by planners today.

Officers from North Norfolk District Council had recommended approval of Warwick Energy’s application to lay the cabling from Weybourne to Great Ryburgh to transport the power produced by its 168-turbine Dudgeon windfarm 32km off the Norfolk coast.

But, following a lengthy debate at this morning’s development committee, members refused the plans, with Mike Baker saying it would “rape” the rural north Norfolk countryside.

Objectors also said the 40m-wide working corridor needed to install the cables would have a detrimental on landowners and farmers.

But Mark Petterson, project director at Warwick Energy, said the firm would appeal against the decision.

He said: “I think most people will be surprised that a buried cable is refused on landscape grounds. We will be appealing the decision. It’s obviously a disappointment and may delay the project.”

Warwick had hoped to producing power by 2015, and claimed the windfarm would eventually power on average 400,000 homes per day.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/12/rape-of-countryside-claim-sees-weybourne-to-great-ryburgh-windfarm-cabling-plan-rejected/