February 3, 2013
England

Wind taken out of turbine plans amid concerns for the natural landscape

Boston Standard | 3 February 2013 | www.bostonstandard.co.uk

A controversial scheme for wind turbines in Friskney has been thrown out following fears it would have a negative impact on the landscape.

At an East Lindsey planning committee meeting, members voted unanimously to refuse an application for four turbines on farmland, from RWE npower Renewables Ltd.

“If this went ahead, it would have a devastating impact on the landscape,” said, Coun Terry Knowles.

Coun Jill Makinson-Sanders protested: “At 127-metres, these turbines would be as third as high again as the spire at Louth parish church – the tallest in the country.

“They would be a real blot on the countryside.”

The refusal came despite a presentation from the company’s regional development manager Robin Basten, who said any impact on the environment would be ‘negligible’, adding there had been no objection from Natural England.

Other objectors had fears the turbines would ‘industrialise’ the fenland landscape and put birds in the area at risk from their blades.

The application site, off Fodderdyke Bank, is within 5km of the Wainfleet All Saints conservation area and no fewer than 68 listed buildings.

The meeting, at East Lindsey District Council’s Manby HQ, was attended by about 40 residents from the Friskney area.

The proposals received 1,210 letters against the application, and just four in favour of it.

Objections were also lodged by most parish councils in the area, including those at Friskney, Stickney and Eastville, Midville and New Leake.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/03/wind-taken-out-of-turbine-plans-amid-concerns-for-the-natural-landscape/