March 25, 2015
England

Secretary of State overturns Tetney wind farm decision

By James Silcocks | Louth Leader | www.louthleader.co.uk

A controversial wind farm application, which was refused by ELDC planners, has been overturned by the Secretary of State.

The application, which was originally submitted by ASC Renewables in September 2012, proposes that eight wind turbines with a maximum height of 115 metres should be built on land at Bishopthorpe Farm in Tetney.

Several hundred neighbour comments – both objections and support- were received by ELDC, and the Planning Committee decided to refuse the application last February.

However, an appeal was launched, and inspector Philip Major recommended that the appeal be granted – a decision that the Secretary of State has now endorsed.

ASC Renewables Chairman Stephen Critchlow said: “We are delighted by the Secretary of State’s decision to grant ASC permission to construct Bishopthorpe Wind Farm. This is a welcome confirmation of the Government’s support for sustainable, low carbon energy projects which will make a significant contribution towards meeting the UK’s legally binding 2020 renewable energy targets.

“Bishopthorpe has been developed in line with our ethos of ‘sustainability without compromise’. For wind, this means that only that best wind farm sites should be progressed.

“ASC has consistently shown that many within the local community support the project,and we are pleased that the planning consent has validated our view.

“We now look forward to working with local stakeholders and the community to ensure that the Project is built as quickly as possible”.

East Lindsey District Council’s Planning Team Leader, Chris Panton, said: “The Council’s planning team presented a very robust case against this application in view of the negative impact that it would have on the landscape and local heritage and also the visual impact of such a substantial development in this area.

“Added to this is the huge strength of feeling within the local community against the application. It goes without saying that we are very disappointed by the decision of the Secretary of State to allow the development to go ahead.”

Melvin Grosvenor, of the Marsh Wind Farm Action Group, said he was “absolutely astounded” that the appeal was granted, and said that the wind farm would have a “colossal impact” upon the local area.

He added: “We may take further action against this outrageous decision.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/25/secretary-of-state-overturns-tetney-wind-farm-decision/