October 28, 2014
England

South Norfolk residents rejoice as wind farm application is rejected

Rebecca Murphy | Eastern Daily Press | Tuesday, October 28, 2014 | www.edp24.co.uk

The residents of Hempnall are today celebrating the blocking of the proposed Streetwood onshore wind farm which would have been situated on agricultural land next to the village.

In January 2014 South Norfolk council’s development management committee refused planning permission for three 126m high turbines from TCI Renewables, but because the authority did not make a decision on the application developer TCI Renewables lodged an appeal-meaning a formal planning inquiry was started by the council.

Planning inspector John Braithwaite was due to settle the matter but it was later announced Mr Braithwaite would only make a recommendation about the application and that it will be referred to the secretary of state Eric Pickles for the final decision.

In his report, Mr Pickles stated the wind farm would have an ‘adverse effect on the character of the landscape.’

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon expressed his delight at the decision, he said: “I am very pleased indeed at this news. I have said all along that the gentle rural landscape of South Norfolk is not a suitable place for industrial-scale wind turbines.”

The proposed wind farm has been a big talking point in the local community and the Stop Hempnall’s Onshore Wind Turbines group are delighted with the ‘victory’ of the application rejection.

South Norfolk council have also welcomed the decision with Councillor John Fuller stating that it was ‘fantastic news’ for residents.

He said: “Wind Turbine proposals have divided this community for too many years. This decision finally draws a line under the matter and I am pleased that it makes it clear the Council was entitled to make the decision it did and for the right reasons when refusing the most recent application.”

TCI Renewables were unavailable for comment.

For more reaction regarding the rejection of the wind farm application and reactions see tomorrow’s Eastern Daily Press and Friday’s Diss Mercury.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/10/28/south-norfolk-residents-rejoice-as-wind-farm-application-is-rejected/