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Campaigners fear the worst as wind farm plan approved
Credit: Hull Daily Mail | 25 January 2013 | www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk ~~
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A controversial wind farm on the East Yorkshire coast has been given the go-ahead by government inspectors.
Nine 130m-high turbines will now be built in Fraisthorpe, near Bridlington.
Villagers, East Riding Council and the area’s MP warned they would overshadow the countryside and drive away tourists.
But staff at the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol have approved the generators against the advice of the council.
In their report, inspectors said: “There is little evidence from other parts of the country that wind farms, in areas with at least local landscape designations, have led to an adverse impact on tourism.”
Conservation officers said the turbines would have a major impact on a nearby 13th-century chapel and listed manor house.
These concerns were dismissed by inspectors.
Jane Evison, council portfolio holder for economic development, tourism and rural issues, said: “I’m absolutely amazed at the outcome of the appeal and, frankly, I’m quite devastated.
“I thought the strong arguments against having a wind farm on an important piece of coastline would be clearly understood.
“I’m deeply upset by the outcome and I think it has weakened our case where common sense should have prevailed.”
Cllr Evison said she hoped the turbines’ damage to tourism could be limited.
She said: “It doesn’t help our marketing of the area.
“People who know the East Riding and know it’s a nice place to visit will continue to come.”
Greg Knight, MP for East Yorkshire and a long-standing critic of turbines, said he would be writing to the planning inspectorate to voice his disagreement.
He said: “It’s a bad decision. The inspector has made an awful mistake and I don’t think he has properly assessed the evidence.
“In the East Riding, we’ve got enough turbines.
“I’m hoping the inspector’s conclusion is correct and they won’t be too bad but I fear for the worst.”
John Elsom lives in Bridlington and has campaigned against the turbines since they were first proposed in February last year.
He said: “I’m very disappointed for the people of Bridlington. There will be damage to Bridlington Bay.
“We don’t really understand what government policy is on turbines because government ministers speak with different tongues.”
The coastline and fields around Bridlington have been painted by internationally renowned artist David Hockney.
His exhibition of East Yorkshire landscapes, A Bigger Picture, drew more than a million visitors to the Royal Academy in London last year.
Mr Elsom has been in touch with the artist about the Fraisthorpe plans.
He read out Mr Hockney’s views at a public inquiry by planning inspectors.
Mr Elsom said: “He absolutely opposes the proposed new turbines, which he says will deface the landscape and seafront of Bridlington Bay.”
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