April 13, 2012
Ontario

Wind turbine proposal generates more legal action

Michael Gennings, Staff, www.simcoe.com 13 April 2012

STAYNER – John and Sylvia Wiggins, who earlier this year launched a lawsuit against WPD Canada, regarding its application to erect eight wind turbines west of Stayner, say that 20 more landowners have joined the legal fight.

The allegation, which hasn’t been proven in court, is that the WPD proposal is causing a devaluation and loss of use and enjoyment of the plaintiffs’ property.

The Wiggins own a property at 1185 Nottawasaga Concession 6 North.

In a news release issued Friday afternoon, the Wiggins said 15 additional landowners “are now also proposed plaintiffs,” in the action against WPD, as well as legal action that was launched against Beattie Bros., Ltd., which owns land north of County Road 91, where six of the turbines would be situated.

The same news release noted that five other landowners have started a second legal action and that it applies to WPD and Ed Beattie and Son Ltd., which own land south of County Road 91, where another two turbines would be placed.

“All of these landowners near the proposed wind turbine development are clearly upset that 50-storey turbines are being foisted upon them arbitrarily,” John Wiggins said in a statement. “These groups are establishing a model that other groups across Ontario will now be able to follow.”

He added the legal action is part of a “snowball effect that wind companies, landowners and the Ontario government should take note of.”

The total value of the two claims now exceeds $17-million, the news release noted.

Kevin Surette, a spokesperson for WPD, said the company would defend itself against the actions.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/13/wind-turbine-proposal-generates-more-legal-action/