March 10, 2015
England

Campaigner wins wind turbine fight

Press Association | 10 March 2015 | www.banburyguardian.co.uk

A campaigner who complained that a 60-metre wind turbine in Northamptonshire would diminish the appearance of a village church has won a High Court fight.

Jane Mordue took legal action after a planning inspector gave permission for the erection of the turbine on a farm in Wappenham.

And a judge has ruled in her favour – saying the decision must be quashed – following a High Court hearing in London.

Mrs Mordue, chairman of the Wappenham Wind Turbine Action Group, said the proposed turbine would dominate the landscape for “miles around”.

She said many local listed buildings would be affected – including the Church of St Mary in Wappenham, which dates back to the 13th Century.

Deputy High Court judge John Howell said inspector John Braithwaite had thought that the environmental benefits of the “renewable energy development” would outweigh its “adverse impact on the landscape”.

But Judge Howell said the inspector had “failed to give reasons” demonstrating that he had “given considerable weight” to the harm caused.

The judge said ministers asked an inspector to decide after local councillors failed to decide on the planning application within a “prescribed period”.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/10/campaigner-wins-wind-turbine-fight/