April 15, 2014
England

Wind turbine row goes to Parliament

Leighton Buzzard Observer | 15 April 2014 | www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk

Campaigners fighting against wind turbines on land at Dorcas Lane are cautiously optimistic after Community Secretary Eric Pickles has got involved.

The Stop Dorcas Lane Turbines (SDLT) group, has been fighting a plan for four 125m turbines at Dorcas Lane near Stole Hammond since Christmas 2011.

Developers Force 9 Energy had an application refused by Aylesbury Vale District Council in March 2013 but then appealed.

That appeal is due to be heard in June this year, but now Mr Pickles MP has said he will decide on the masts after receiving a report from the inquiry, known as recovered.

SDLT has lobbied hard for this decision to be recovered.

Vice Chairman of SDLT, Joseph Cresswell, said: “The political wind direction is visibly changing. We are delighted to learn that the Appeal will now be scrutinised and determined by the Secretary of State himself. He has clearly stated that where communities strongly object to such inappropriate development, they should not be forced to have them.

“The planning case against this development is overwhelmingly strong given the immense harm which would be caused in respect of blighting our local landscape, making people’s houses uninhabitable, and the impossibility of creating acceptable access to the site. The Secretary of State has also now recognised our serious concerns about aviation safety, which we understand to be the reason for agreeing to recover this Appeal.

“SDLT will be fighting the Appeal in coordination with AVDC and we remain confident this deeply unpopular development will be stopped.”

Prime Minister David Cameron announced last week that, if re-elected, a Conservative Government would not support development of any further onshore wind farms.

The appeal is scheduled to be heard by Planning Inspector Ms Jessica Graham in late June and early July. The Inspector will now prepare a report and recommendation which will be submitted to Mr Pickles who will then make the decision in accordance with the planning merits of the case.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/04/15/wind-turbine-row-goes-to-parliament/