May 26, 2014
England

Campaigners claim victory in Thornholme wind farm fight

Driffield Times & Post | 26 May 2014 | www.driffieldtoday.co.uk

East Wolds and Coastal ward councillors on East Riding of Yorkshire Council Jane Evison and Jonathan Owen expressed delight at the secretary of state’s decision to overrule the planning inspectors decision and refuse the appeal by Wind Prosepct Developments limited for a windfarm at Thornholme Fields, Burton Agnes.

Coun.Owen said: “It’s been a long time coming but we are delighted at the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, decision to refuse the windfarm application at Thornholme Fields. At last government are now listening to the views of local people and supporting the large number of local objections to the development.

“We hope this is the start of a much firmer stance being taken on windfarm development in the countryside, which is threatening to destroy the very fabric that makes the Yorkshire Wolds such an unique and beautiful place.

“It is hoped that this establishes new ground rules for development and that we look to offshore developments in the future for which the region is well prepared”

Coun Evison added: “Time and time again East Riding planning committee members have refused windfarm applications, representing the views of local people whom they represent, only to have the decision overturned on appeal by the Planning inspectorate. I am pleased that we now have a decision taken that truly reflects local views and I welcome the decision and hope this will send a strong message to any future developers that there is an increasing objection to further on-shore development”

Burton Agnes resident Sue Burt, who campaigned against the development, said: “It was always the wrong development in the wrong location. I think Eric Pickles summed it up, the Wolds landscape is very sensitive to this sort of development and it would have cost damage to Burton Agnes Hall, impacted homes and tourism. Also the cumulative impact of the number of wind turbines in the area is just getting silly.

“I would imagine that those of us who have campaigned against it since 2011 are highly delighted that in our view common sense and local democracy has prevailed.

“It has been a long time coming but I think Eric Pickles has delivered on his statement that the view of the local communities must not be ignored.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/26/campaigners-claim-victory-in-thornholme-wind-farm-fight/