December 24, 2014
England

East Heslerton wind farm appeal rejected by judge

Gazette & Herald | 24 December 2014 | www.gazetteherald.co.uk

A High Court judge has thrown out an appeal over a wind farm above the Yorkshire Wolds which residents have tirelessly campaigned against.

The proposals by RWE Innogy Ltd for 10 126-metre high wind turbines at East Heslerton were rejected by Mr Justice Dove, backing Community Secretary Eric Pickles’ decision to reject the proposal.

The proposals had first been refused by Ryedale District Council following more than 350 letters of objection before being improved by a planning inspector and then refused again by the Secretary of State.

The judge found that the Community Secretary’s decision was not “irrational” and that the impact on the North York Moors National Park and the nearby Grade I listed church in East Heslerton would be “greater than minor.”

In his final conclusion the judge said: “The claimant’s case both in relation to the impact on the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and St Andrew’s Church is not made out, and this application must be dismissed.”

The application was first submitted in 2011 and RWE had said that the farm could power between 9,700 to 14,500 homes.

Paul Stephens, of West Heslerton, has campaigned against the turbine since the proposals were put forward. He said that local residents are delighted with the news and hoped that this will be the end of it.

He said: “I am obviously delighted at the result. It has been all about the money for them and millions and millions of pounds have been thrown at it.

“Everyone around here is very pleased we just hope that this is the end and that they have finally taken no for an answer.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/24/east-heslerton-wind-farm-appeal-rejected-by-judge/