February 6, 2014
England

Concern grows at wind appeal

Driffield Post Times | 05 February 2014 | www.driffieldtoday.co.uk

A Driffield councillor has raised concern that residents are still awaiting the decision from the Secretary of State on a planning appeal for the controversial Thornholme Fields wind farm proposals.

The application for the proposal was submitted in August 2011 for nine turbines but subsequently revised to six and it is now more than a year since applicants decided to appeal. Following concerns from residents, East Riding of Yorkshire Council planning committee refused the proposed wind farm in December 2012. Developers lodged an appeal and this was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in January 2013.

The inspector for an Inquiry confirmed in March 2013 that The Secretary of State, Eric Pickles MP, had decided to recover the decision. The council expected the decision on the wind farm application from Mr Pickles in October 2013 – this date was extended to January 7th 2014, but as yet no notification of the decision has been given. Coun Symon Fraser, portfolio holder for the environment, housing and planning, said: “The Thornholme decision is of vital importance to us. If this is allowed by the Secretary of State, then the implications for future proposals for wind turbines are very serious. It will become increasingly difficult for us as a local planning authority to fight the corner for local people on these sometimes very controversial proposals. The Government are quick to criticise local authorities over the length of time it takes them to process planning applications. It seems incongruous that this decision has taken so many months to be turned round by the Government.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/02/06/concern-grows-at-wind-appeal/