June 20, 2013
England

Wind farm is opposed by councillors

Written by Jennie Baker | News & Crier | 20 June 2013 | www.cambridge-news.co.uk

Plans to build six 126m wind turbines near Molesworth have been unanimously opposed by councillors.

But the vote by members of Huntingdonshire District Council’s development management panel will not stop the plans going to a public inquiry, expected to be at the end of the year.

RWE npower Renewables launched an appeal over its proposals because the council had not made a decision on the bid.

Vicky Wood, chairwoman of the Stop Molesworth Wind Farm Action Group, said between about 90 and 100 people had turned out for Monday’s meeting.

She said: “We are thrilled but it’s a bit of an anticlimax. RWE have gone directly to appeal and therefore we know the fight isn’t over. We have got to carry on and keep the battle going and go to the appeal and oppose it as best we can.

“This is the first stage and we are very pleased that the district council has agreed with us that the site isn’t suitable. It’s the wrong development in the wrong place.”

Huntingdonshire District Council’s panel voted to say it would have refused planning permission if it had been up to them.

A report to the panel said three “significant aspects” of harm – heritage assets, residential amenity and landscape character and amenity – “significantly and demonstrably outweigh the public benefits arising from the proposal”.

Dee Nunn, RWE npower renewables’ developer for Molesworth Wind Farm, said the scheme could help the council meet its goal of reducing climate change and inject millions into the local economy. She said: “All of our studies have shown that this is an excellent site for a wind farm, with good road access and wind speed and suitable connection to the National Grid. It is also worth noting that we received no objections to our proposals from any statutory consultees.”

The council and the action group are both set to be represented at the planning inquiry.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/20/wind-farm-is-opposed-by-councillors/