September 14, 2012
England

Lincolnshire wind turbine constructed without consultation sparks angry turnout

Louth Target | www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk 14 September 2012

Concerned villagers turned up in their droves to a meeting about an already-erected wind turbine.

The extraordinary parish meeting at Yarburgh Village Hall, near Louth, was organised following complaints from residents about the 67-metre wind turbine which is now in place on land near the village.

Both members of the parish meeting and residents said they were angry that East Lindsey District Council did not see them as official consultees and did not feel enough had been done to inform them of the plans.

They also claimed the address originally given on the planning application was at The Limes in Highbridge Road, Alvingham, the next village in the area – but that the turbine is within the boundaries of their village.

Chairman Lynn Evans said: “In July, I was first made aware of the planning permission for the turbine and I told East Lindsey District Council that the village would most likely challenge the action.

“However, they put it up and now our challenge is to bring it down.

“ELDC has failed to identify us, as a parish meeting, as an official body in an attempt to take the village out of the consultation.

“It has also failed to identify the correct address of the wind turbine and has not contacted residents in the area.

“We are now in a very sticky situation and we are likely to get lots of other farmers wanting to put up their own turbines.

“The area is already like a pin cushion and is likely to get worse.”

Resident Andrew McLaren from the village added: “I have written a formal complaint and have hand delivered it.

“Our parish was not consulted and the address was deliberately misleading.

“ELDC has failed their statutory responsibilities and we have had our democratic rights removed.

“We were not given the correct information to air our concerns. I am disgusted by their actions.”

Anti-wind farm activists also attended the meeting to have their say.

Melvin Grosvenor from Baumber added: “I am appalled that this turbine has been constructed.

“There is a serious issue around how big this turbine is.

“Wind turbines are like rabbits – they breed – but the difference is they are huge structures.

“Turbines like these are redefining Lincolnshire and we cannot let this happen.”

ELDC’s planning team leader Chris Panton, said: “The district council is investigating the issues raised by the Yarburgh Parish Meeting and local residents.

“The points they have raised need careful consideration because of their serious nature and, in due course, a response will be sent to those parties.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/14/lincolnshire-wind-turbine-constructed-without-consultation-sparks-angry-turnout/