April 8, 2013
England

Anger as council’s rejection of wind farm near Louth is overturned

Grimsby Telegraph | April 08, 2013 | www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

A judicial review could be pursued following a Government decision to overturn a council’s rejection of a plan for a wind farm near Louth.

East Lindsey District Council turned down an application for eight 115m wind turbines and a substation at Carlton Grange, Thacker Bank – known as the Gayton Wind Farm – last June.

However, applicant Energiekontor referred the refusal to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, which overturned ELDC’s decision on Friday.

The only option now would be to take the case to judicial review – an option that ELDC, which has vehemently opposed the development, has not ruled out.

Craig Leyland, portfolio-holder for economic development, said: “We are disappointed with the outcome and stand by our original decision.

“ELDC is taking legal advice on the options and we are lobbying for change in the planning process to localise these decisions so we can defend our own landscape.”

Locals formed the No Wind Farm At Gayton (Nowag) group after the company held opinion screening sessions in 2010 – and have invested £20,000 from their own pockets in their fight against the proposal.

Tom Hayes is the chairman and his family has lived at Low Farm for more than a century, but the view his grandfather enjoyed will be ruined by the turbines, he says.

He said: “People have called me a nimby and all sorts of names, but I want to protect this beautiful view across the Lincolnshire Wolds for future generations.

“We were absolutely devastated to hear the decision. We put up a good fight and now it is as though it was all for nothing.”

Cheryl Warwick, chairman of Saltfleetby Parish Council, said: “I was disappointed, then angry, but my greatest worry is that this will now open the floodgates for other developments.”

Keep reading the Telegraph for updates.

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Editor’s Comment

IS there any overall national policy on the siting of wind turbines?

It would appear not and as a result local authorities across the country are getting mixed messages on how they should view individual applications.

Turn them down, and they risk a lengthy appeals process and possible fines.

However, accept them and are they simply rolling over and giving no consideration to those residents, and there are many, who object – citing environmental impact and health reasons.

In the Lincolnshire countryside at the moment there are a whole smattering of applications, from the larger farms to a couple of turbines here and there to provide energy supplies. Yet no obvious policy or guidance!

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/08/anger-as-councils-rejection-of-wind-farm-near-louth-is-overturned/