December 27, 2013
England

Victory as wind farm plans are thrown out

Milton Keynes Citizen | 27 December 2013 | www.miltonkeynes.co.u

Protesters received an early Christmas present following news that plans to build the Nun Wood wind farm have been turned down.

Action group BLOT hope the decision will write the final chapter in their an eight-year David v Goliath battle with energy giant Npower.

However, they are aware Npower could challenge the decision in the High Court or even propose a different wind farm and start the process all over again.

The proposal was to erect 12 wind turbines in two groups along the Three Shires Way between Bozeat, Lavendon and Harrold.

The wind farm would have been spread along 4.5km of the gap between the Milton Keynes wind farm at Petsoe Manor and the approved wind farm at Podington.

The decision to turn down the plans was made by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. It followed a recommendation by the Planning Inspector who stated, “the adverse impacts of the scheme would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits”.

Brian Skittrall, chairman of BLOT said: “We are naturally pleased we have won this important victory against a wind farm that would cause so much local harm. We are not celebrating yet because we do not know whether Npower will accept this decision.

“They have persecuted us for eight years and we are sure that as long as they feel that there is a chance to get their hands on the obscene profits that windfarm operators can make, they are not going to give up.

“BLOT would like to thank all those who have supported us over the years. We are particularly grateful to Councillors Andrew Geary and Debbie Brock and Milton Keynes Council whose successful High Court challenge of the first planning appeal enabled us to have this second chance to get this harmful wind farm refused. Thanks also go to MP Mark Lancaster who supported us.

“We hope Npower will now do the honourable thing and announce that they are no longer pursuing the Nun Wood site so that we can put the eight years of stress and worry behind us and get on with our lives.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/27/victory-as-wind-farm-plans-are-thrown-out/