Inspector throws out ‘harmful’ windfarm bid
Credit: Stroud Life | December 05, 2012 | www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk ~~
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Next Generation’s proposals for a windfarm in fields in the Severn Vale have been thrown out by a government inspector.
The Stroud-based company’s appeal against Stroud District Council refusal of its application for four 120m turbines has been dismissed.
Government-appointed inspector Richard Thomas has ruled that the council was right to turn down the bid from the sister firm of green energy firm Ecotricity.
The plans for Standle Farm in Stinchcombe provoked outrage in the village but Next Generation said the turbines were in the right place to capture enough wind to generate renewable electricity.
In his summing up, Mr Thomas said the harmful impact on the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and nearby historical sites were the main reasons for dismissing the appeal.
Campaigners from the Save Berkeley Vale action group which fought the scheme were pleased, member Jack Sant said.
“We’re also pretty angry that it ever got to this situation,” he said.
“If every there was a site that was inappropriate that was it.”
Ecotricity boss Dale Vince said he was surprised and disappointed by the inspector’s decision.
“We still believe Berkeley Vale is absolutely an appropriate place for four windmills and we were confident our plans satisfied all conditions and constraints,” he said.
“We think it’s the wrong decision and a blow to renewable energy in Gloucestershire.
“The Berkeley Vale windfarm could have powered the equivalent of almost 7,000 homes every year through clean, renewable energy.”
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