April 21, 2012
England

Villagers fight third moor wind farm

Lancaster Guardian, www.lancasterguardian.co.uk 21 April 2012

Fresh plans for a wind farm at Claughton Moor between Hornby and Caton show “a complete disregard for the local democratic process”, say objectors.

Cheshire-based Community Windpower Ltd has submitted a scoping report for 12 126.5m high wind turbines at Claughton and Whit Moor, after two previous applications for 20 and then 13 structures were rejected by Lancaster City Council.

The Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Scenery (FELLS) group say they have fought hard for more than a decade to preserve the unspoiled tranquility of the Lune Valley and are “outraged” that a new application has been made.

Community Windpower Ltd appealed against the first two decisions, but then dropped the appeals before the hearings took place.

Tim Sarney, spokesman for the group said: “FELLS, parish councils, local MPs, local groups and many residents have been fighting Community Windpower Ltd’s attempts to install a large wind farm on this site for the past two years.

“Community Windpower Ltd has shown a complete disregard for the local democratic process, local opinion and the planning system.

“Their actions in withdrawing from two appeals at the 11th hour, presumably because they realised the planning inspectors would refuse their appeals, resulted in the FELLS consortium and Lancaster City Council being awarded costs against Community Windpower Ltd.”

The company paid FELLS £3,600 to cover its costs of preparing for the appeal.

Community Windpower Ltd did not return calls for comment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/21/villagers-fight-third-moor-wind-farm/