April 20, 2013
England, Letters

Hard fight for nothing

Grimsby Telegraph | April 20, 2013 | www.thisisgrimsby.co.ukGrimsby Telegraph | April 20, 2013 | www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

For three years, our action group, No Wind Farm At Gayton (Nowag), has fought an application to build eight 115-metre turbines in the Lincolnshire countryside.

East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) refused the application last year but earlier this month, the Planning Inspectorate overturned the decision, which has left us with very few options. The only chance now is for ELDC to take the decision to judicial review – which they haven’t ruled out.

When I first heard the news I was very disappointed and then I was angry. People who live here have fought very hard for three years.

It’s taken a lot of effort, a lot of time and a lot of money to fight this battle. We estimate the cost at around £20,000, which was donated from people’s own pockets and some people have given a substantial amount. I think that in itself shows just how much this means to people.

What I worry about is not just the visual impact of this development on the view across the Lincolnshire Wolds but also the precedent that this sets.

Other constructions will hear of this decision and be encouraged by it – and we already know of other developers that want to build here.

I’m also concerned about the construction of these turbines and how disruptive it will be to people living in the area. There will be large, articulated lorries travelling on roads which were made to hold horses and carts.

The area that is due to be built on is a beautiful part of the countryside that people have enjoyed their whole lives. We already have one wind farm in the area and it is such a shame that it looks like we will now have another.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/20/hard-fight-for-nothing/