July 14, 2012
England

Anger following approval for wind farms in Northamptonshire

By Wayne Bontoft | Northampton Chronicle & Echo | www.northamptonchron.co.uk 13 July 2012

Angry politicians have hit out at the national planning inspector’s decision to allow two wind farms to be built in Northamptonshire.

In June, members of South Northamptonshire Council rejected plans from Broadview Energy Developments Limited to build five wind turbines on land between Greatworth and Helmdon.

The company appealed against the decision and an eight day inquiry began in May.

Following the investigation, the planning inspector published her report on Friday, saying the development should go ahead.

Councillor Stephen Clarke (Con, Blisworth and Roade) chairman of the development control committee at South Northamptonshire Council, said: “I’m very disappointed with the decision.

“We have never questioned the need to promote renewable energy sources, however, there is a clear need to undertake a balanced assessment of such proposals which is what the council as local planning authority sought to do.

“On this occasion we concluded that a wind farm in this location will have a detrimental effect on the natural surroundings and residents of the nearby villages.

“We will now consider what our next steps may be”

Broadview hopes the wind farm will begin commercial operation in late 2013, generating power for around 5,580 homes in the area.

Olly Buck, Project Manager for Broadview Energy, said: “We are very pleased to have received The planning inspectorate’s approval and look forward to liaising with the community as we build the project.”

The planning inspector has also granted planning permission for six turbines to be built in Winwick, near Daventry.

The inspector said: “The economic and environmental benefits of the proposed development outweigh the harm identified.”

But the decision was met with anger by the area’s MP, Chris Heaton-Harris.

Commenting on Twitter, he said: “Another disgraceful decision by the planning inspectorate passing Winwick wind farm. Ignoring localism and local people completely.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/14/anger-following-approval-for-wind-farms-in-northamptonshire/