June 27, 2014
England

Woodmancott wind farm plan plan rejected

Rural wind farm plans rejected | BBC News | 26 June 2014 | www.bbc.co.uk

Plans for six wind turbines in countryside near Basingstoke have been rejected by councillors.

TCI Renewables had applied to put up the 130m (426ft) turbines at Woodmancott.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council raised concerns over the impact on local ecology and a nearby airfield.

The Save our Scenic South Downs group, which had also opposed the development, called it a “victory for common sense”.

The campaigners claimed the turbines would “scar the countryside” and set a “dangerous precedent”.

A spokeswoman for TCI said: “Hampshire has no wind farms and the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council last night sent the message that despite all their policy statements to the contrary they simply do not want them.

“TCI will review the wording of the decision notice before deciding how best to proceed.”

The firm had said the effect on “landscape character” of turbines would have to be balanced against “the acknowledged and significant benefits” of generating renewable energy.

Council planners said the developers had failed to show there would not be an adverse impact on the local ecology, the operation of Chilbolton Observatory’s meteorological radar as well as safety at nearby Lasham Airfield.

The application was turned down by the council’s development committee by eight votes to four.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/27/woodmancott-wind-farm-plan-plan-rejected/