October 19, 2013
England
England
Milton Keynes Council leader assures public new wind turbine document will not be challenged in court
Written by James Averill | 18/10/2013 | www.mkweb.co.uk
Written by James Averill | 18/10/2013 | www.mkweb.co.uk
The leader of Milton Keynes Council has assured the public it will not end up back in court – after adopting a new supplementary planning document concerning wind farms.
Councillor Andrew Geary and his cabinet colleagues approved the document, which ‘protects the public from unintended impacts’ of wind turbine developments.
In April, energy firm RWE Npower Renewables defeated the council in a High Court case over buffer zone separation distances. The SPD was quashed because it contradicted a Local Plan from 2005.
The new SPD takes on board advice from the British Society of Horses, who say that wind turbines should be a distance of at least four times their height away from bridleways and footpaths, as it could startle horses and prove dangerous for riders.
Cllr Geary told a packed public gallery: “This SPD is in accordance with the High Court ruling. It simply reiterates what we were told we could do. I doubt we will see this one challenged.”
But Labour has indicated it will call the decision in, and Cllr Mick Legg said: “We believe this is a flawed document, is politically motivated and will see us back in court.”
Alan Francis, of Milton Keynes Green Party, said: “This is another attempt to have a no wind turbine policy in Milton Keynes. There are bridleways with horses near the busy M1. Does that mean they should shut the M1?”