May 29, 2012
England

Wind turbines plan near Broads rejected by High Court judge

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 29 May 2012

A High Court judge has rejected plans for wind turbines which would “harm the character” of an area of the Broads.

Sea & Land Power and Energy Ltd’s wanted to erect four 344ft (105m) turbines near Hemsby, Great Yarmouth.

The borough council refused the plan in 2009, over concerns about the adverse impact on the landscape.

Mrs Justice Lang upheld the decision and said the government’s encouragement of renewable energy did not outweigh local conservation policies.

She rejected Sea & Land’s arguments that the council planning inspector had ignored the government’s target that 17% of the region’s energy needs should be met from renewable sources by 2020.

She said it was a legitimate exercise of planning judgement.

The turbines would have stood in an area directly to the east and south of the Broads, with the Norfolk Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, also just 1.8 miles (3km) away.

Sea & Land had said the turbines would supply power to more than 5,000 homes.

It took the appeal against the council’s decision to the High Court after it was turned down by the Planning Inspectorate.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/29/wind-turbines-plan-near-broads-rejected-by-high-court-judge/