LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME


[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]

Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

Get weekly updates
RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Stripe

Donate via Paypal

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Windfarm appeal to drag on into 2014 

Credit:  Melton Times | 23/07/2013 | www.meltontimes.co.uk ~~

A decision on the Asfordby windfarm appeal is unlikely to be made before Christmas – and could cost council tax payers an extra £40,000.

The inquiry resumed on Friday to see if objections lodged by Network Rail could be overcome.

Planning inspector Rupert Grantham heard that a statement of common ground had been drawn up by Network Rail and Peel Energy. The renewable energy firm wants to erect nine turbines up to 125m high on land between Asfordby and Ab Kettleby.

However, while some progress had been made the inquiry was told that the two sides could not agree on the conditions required to satisfy Network Rail’s concerns.

The second complicating factor is that the appeal has also been called in by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles who will now make the final decision.

As reported in the Melton Times Mr Pickles made a ministerial statement about on-shore wind turbines last month but the Government has yet to publish the new planning 
guidance.

The inquiry has once again been adjourned and is now likely to resume in mid-November. Even if the inspector can then close the 
inquiry his report and recommendations still have to go to Mr Pickles for the final say.

The delays have forced Melton Council, which is robustly defending
its decision to refuse permission for the wind turbines, to set aside a further £40,000 to cover the cost of providing legal advocacy and expert evidence at the inquiry. Members had already committed £80,000 to fight the appeal while campaign group STOP has also been 
representing objectors to the windfarm throughout the inquiry.

Network Rail had told the 
inquiry it was concerned with the 
potential for interference to radio signals which are used to control train movement on the Old Dalby Test Track. It is used by Transport for London for Tube trains.

When the inquiry resumed there was much discussion about the height and position of turbine nine – known as T9 – in relation to power lines, access tracks to the site and rail infrastructure in the event of ‘turbine topple’.

The inspector heard that a 500m section of power lines running along the southern boundary of Asfordby
Business Park could be placed 
underground, but an overall agreement could not be reached.

Peel maintained that the like-lihood and risk of turbine topple was extremely low but agreed to present three options to the inspector and Secretary of State with regard to T9.

It’s preference would be for no change but alternatively T9 could be moved 10m and reduced in height to 108m or removed from the scheme entirely.

As a result Peel will have to 
provide supplementary environmental information and a further period of public consultation will be 
necessary.

Melton Council and STOP have been arguing at the inquiry that the location is wrong while Peel insist the impact on heritage assets and the landscape do not outweigh the benefits of the scheme in generating renewable energy to power 8,500 homes.

Source:  Melton Times | 23/07/2013 | www.meltontimes.co.uk

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Contributions
   Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)
Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI M TG TS G Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook Wind Watch on Linked In

Wind Watch on Mastodon Wind Watch on Truth Social

Wind Watch on Gab Wind Watch on Bluesky