May 2, 2013
England

Campaigners celebrate turbine u-turn

Market Rasen Mail | 2 May 2013 | www.marketrasenmail.co.uk

A controversial proposal to put wind turbines in a small village has taken a dramatic u-turn after the planning application was withdrawn.

Ermine Farms Ltd had 
wanted to put two wind 
turbines at Heath Farm in Normanby by Spital – its first application was turned down and now it has withdrawn the second.

The sudden change 
in direction has left campaigners delighted – they have been fighting the turbine proposals for the past 15 months.

Richard Armstrong, who 
led the fight, said: “After 
15 months of great team 
work and support from a wonderful group of local people, supported by 
riders from Holton le Moor, 
our local and district councillors Jeff and Lewis 
and VOCAT (Villages Of the 
Cliff Against Turbines) members in neighbouring villages, plus many others – we won.”

He added: “Arguments 
and tenacity paid off.”

Campaigners were concerned about the impact wind turbines would have on wildlife, horses, house prices and views of the open countryside.

The pig farmer’s first application had been recommended for approval but was turned down by 
West Lindsey District 
Council’s planning committee which said wind turbines would have a “detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the open area”.

The latest application – which was identical to the previous one – had been recommended for refusal by WLDC planning officers.

Officers said they were mindful of the previous decision.

This came 
after the MoD said the proposed turbines would cause “unacceptable” interference to the air traffic control radar at RAF Waddington.

A supporting statement 
in Ermine Farms Ltd ‘s planning application said it wanted 
to put up the turbines because retailers were looking for 
“high environmental performance” from suppliers and were keen to see onsite energy generation.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/02/campaigners-celebrate-turbine-u-turn/