July 10, 2012
England

Planners vote against wind farm plans at scenic location in Lincolnshire

Louth Target | www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk 10 July 2012

A unanimous thumbs down was given to a proposed wind farm in a scenic location which already has two wind farms nearby.

East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee unanimously voted against plans by Energiekontor UK Ltd for eight wind turbines at Thacker Bank near Gayon le Marsh.

But, developers had already lodged an appeal to the planning inspectorate for non-determination and so the planning committee had to make its decision as a consultee instead.

The appeal was lodged after the council failed to determine the application within 16 weeks.

The wind farm borders on communities in Gayton le Marsh, Theddlethorpe and Carlton where residents can already see wind farms at Conishome and Mablethorpe.

Tom Heys, chairman on the No Windfarm at Gayton (NOWAG) group, whose farm is 260 acres from the proposed site, said: “This overwhelming cumulative impact will affect not only us who reside near, but all in the neighbouring villages from the Wolds to the Coast, which is completely unacceptable. This rural landscape is renowned for its open skies and marvellous sunsets, it has a character of its own which must be protected for years to come.”

The application received 771 letters of objection compared to just 159 of support.

Richard Hinds, project manager for Energiekontor said: “The benefits of this proposal are many. The concept is simply to capture energy from a natural source. An added benefit is the community fund of £60,000 per year for the lifetime of the proposal.”

Ward councillor Sandra Harrison urged the committee to refuse it.

She said: “It will have a significant harmful effect on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which outweighs any benefits for national and regional targets for renewable energy.”

Councillor Robert Palmer, who proposed refusal, said: “My first thoughts were it is an abomination to place eight turbines in such a beautiful area. Great Carlton is one of our prettiest villages which could have these huge wind turbines overshadowing.”

Councillor Stuart Watson said the area acts as a corridor for uninterrupted views between the coast to the Wolds.

The committee’s unanimous objection will be taken into account when the planning inspector determines the application in due course.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/10/planners-vota-against-wind-farm-plans-at-scenic-location-in-lincolnshire/