June 6, 2014
England

Latest in Bodham-turbine saga sees Court of Appeal uphold decision to deny plans for the green-energy development

Sabah Meddings | Eastern Daily Press | June 6, 2014 | www.edp24.co.uk

A long-running bid to build a wind turbine in north Norfolk has suffered another setback after a decision by senior judges.

The Court of Appeal has sided with a High Court decision to quash planning permission for the scheme at Bodham, near Holt.

The single turbine which would power 600 homes had been refused by North Norfolk District Councillors in 2012, but then granted by a planning inspector.

However, in February this year the council took the case to the High Court which said the inspector’s decision was legally flawed.

Green-energy developers Genetic, run by father and son John and David Mack, then went to the Court of Appeal, which has now said the Macks’ appeal had “no reasonable prospects of success”. As a result, the Planning Inspectorate will now be asked to reconsider the case.

David Mack said he was disappointed with the result but was still confident the project, which would provide energy for 600 homes, would come to fruition.

He said: “The wind turbine will make a huge contribution to north Norfolk’s energy needs.”

He said the Bodham site fitted the criteria for a turbine, and because of the high wind speed, would produce twice as much energy as a similar turbine in Lincoln. He said: “We are certainly thinking about what to do and will either appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or go back to the Court of Appeal.”

The district council’s cabinet member for planning, Benjie Cabbell Manners said he welcomed the decision, which supported the council’s actions in pursuing the case.

He said: “We will continue to act in the best interests of our communities to protect our landscape and heritage assets for the people of North Norfolk and its visitors.”

The district council’s leader Tom FitzPatrick, said: “We firmly believe that onshore wind turbines detract from the unique landscape of this beautiful area, in which tourism forms the most essential element of our economy.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/06/latest-in-bodham-turbine-saga-sees-court-of-appeal-uphold-decision-to-deny-plans-for-the-green-energy-development/