March 4, 2013
England

Wind turbine row spins on at the High Court

Dan Palmer | 4 March 2013 | www.mk-news.co.uk

A row between Milton Keynes Council and a renewable energy firm over the distance between wind turbines and homes rumbled on at the High Court in London last week.

The local authority clashed with German company RWE npower renweables at a Judicial Review hearing on Thursday.

Both parties have been arguing over the council’s Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which imposed a separation distance of more than 1km between the location of commercial wind turbines and residential areas.

RWE, who called for the Judicial Review, say that they are ‘seeking clarity’ from the High Court over the issue but leader of the council Andrew Geary has criticised the company’s stance.

“The council has worked in the residents’ best interest throughout the process of creating the SPD and it received cross party support,” Mr Geary said.

“It is disappointing that the general will of the people could be overturned.

“The SPD was implemented in order to protect residents from negative and adverse effects of turbines following overwhelming professional evidence.”

RWE director Dr Wayne Cranstone said that the council had made a ‘radical’ policy change without going through the scrutiny it required.

“We remain seriously concerned that the process adopted by the council was flawed and in contradiction of national policy,” he said.

“We support properly implemented planning policies that provide a fair and responsible framework for the assessment of applications.”

A decision on the review is expected within two months.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/04/wind-turbine-row-spins-on-at-the-high-court/