September 18, 2012
England

Turbine appeal rejected

Hull Daily Mail | www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk 17 September 2012

Wind farm objectors are celebrating a “landmark” victory after planners said two turbines would damage the Wolds.

Driffield farmer Paul Temple wanted to build a pair of 24.6m-high turbines at Wold Farm, off Scarborough Road.

East Riding Council rejected his plans because their renewable energy benefits would be “outweighed by harm to the landscape”.

Mr Temple lodged an appeal against the decision with the Government’s Independent Planning Inspectorate – but it supported the council.

The inspectorate said the turbines “would have a major significant adverse impact on this exposed, high-quality landscape”.

Campaigners say the decision strengthens their hand.

Steve Hey, chairman of the No To Wolds Wind Farm Group, said: “We’re absolutely delighted the planning inspector has recognised the quality of the Yorkshire Wolds landscape on a national level.

“I would say it’s a landmark decision for the Yorkshire Wolds. Hopefully, it will set a precedent for the way forward.”

Mr Hey hopes council planners will now reject more turbines because of their impact on the landscape.

But a council spokesman said: “In this instance, the inspector dismissed the appeal and upheld the council’s decision but, equally, the council has lost appeals on single turbines where the inspector allowed applications we had refused.”

Mr Temple declined to comment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/18/turbine-appeal-rejected/