April 12, 2013
England

Cold air blows on wind farm decision

Goole Courier | 11 April 2013 | www.goolecourier.co.ukGoole Courier | 11 April 2013 | www.goolecourier.co.uk

More anger and frustration has been vented after a four year fight over a controversial wind farm failed to reach a conclusion .

The planning committee at Selby District Council deferred a decision over plans for the wind farm between Ferrybridge and Eggborough to an indefinite date, to allow applicant, Prowind UK, further time to present evidence over noise issues and the scheme’s cumulative impact.

More than 120 people packed into council chambers, in what leading protester Howard Ferguson, described as “a meeting packed to the rafters with standing room only”.

He said he believed it was the largest crowd ever gathered for a planning decision, with dozens of protesters outside unable to gain access. But it was an anti-climax, as the predicted refusal of planning permission for 14 giant 400-feet tall turbines did not happen.

Mr Ferguson stormed: “This is unacceptable. This has been dragging on for four years. This time protesters expected all the information requested from Prowind UK to be there, but again it was not comprehensive enough, hence the deferment.

“This is costing the council a fortune and they must be frustrated, but it seems they are forced to accept what Prowind UK is doing. When additional information is presented it will have to go to consultation which will prolong a decision even more.”

He further added: “Managing director of Prowind, Keith Brooks, stood up at one point to say sorry, to which a lady replied ‘I don’t think you are’.”

An SDC spokeswoman said: ““We’ve been keen to bring forward a decision on this application on behalf of the local community. To determine the application we require some extra information on the potential impact. Some of this information is outstanding and until we receive this we cannot fulfil our role in lawfully determining the application.”

A Prowind UK spokesman said: “We don’t know the council decision yet so we have no comment to make at this stage.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/12/cold-air-blows-on-wind-farm-decision/