January 27, 2012
England

Turbines cases come to a close

www.cambridge-news.co.uk 26 January 2012

Two public inquiries drew to a close this week following a decision by Huntingdonshire District Council to block plans to build controversial wind farms.

Broadview Energy Developments launched an appeal against the refusal of its plan to build four 125m wind turbines on land west of Bicton Industrial Park, including the former Kimbolton Airfield.

Last year, the district council unanimously rejected the proposal because of concerns about damage to the surrounding visual landscape.

Action group Stop Bicton Wind Farm at Kimbolton, formed by local residents in 2009, was granted formal representation at the final day of the inquiry on Monday at district council headquarters in Huntingdon, alongside councillors and developers.

The bulk of the hearing was conducted in August followed by a two-day site visit in September.

Martin Patterson, chairman of Stop Bicton Wind Farm, said: “The ruling in this case will be significant, not just to the villages surrounding the Bicton site but to the whole district of Huntingdonshire. “

Meanwhile, an inquiry into plans for wind turbines near Huntingdon concluded today.

Plans for four 130.5m wind turbines on a site in Woolley Hill, Ellington, were rejected by the development management planning panel of the district council in June.

The inquiry was held at the council’s headquarters, following an appeal by developer Renewable Energy Systems.

The proposed site, on land east of Whitleather Lodge, would include two new access areas and a communications mast, for 25 years.

Damage to the view from Ellington Church, road safety on the A14/A1 junction and environmental concerns were the main objections in June.

A decision on both wind farms will be delivered by the Planning Inspectorate later in the year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/27/turbines-cases-come-to-a-close/