March 27, 2015
England

Second bid for wind turbine at Bodham, near Holt, is unanimously rejected

Alex Hurrell | Eastern Daily Press | 26 March 2015 | www.edp24.co.uk

A green-energy developer is considering an appeal after planners today unanimously turned down his family firm’s application for a wind turbine in rural north Norfolk.

North Norfolk District Council’s development committee agreed with their officers that the public benefits of the turbine in Bodham, near Holt, were outweighed by the harm it would do to the landscape and the setting of a number of ancient churches, other historic buildings, and conservation areas.

Roy Reynolds said the turbine, 66m high to the tip of its blades, would be an “absolute blot on the landscape.”

He added: “Its setting would be right on top of the Cromer Ridge. If we said ‘yes’ it would set a precedent and we could end up with 10 or 15 of these things.”

Vivienne Uprichard said she found wind turbines beautiful but they had their place, and it wasn’t on the north Norfolk coast.

Michael Baker warned the public not to be fooled by claims that the turbine could power 655 homes. It did not mean the turbine would supply them in the event of a power cut.

“Our economy here relies on tourism and agriculture,” he said. “I am totally against this imposition of industrialisation in rural north Norfolk.”

Developer David Mack, of applicants Genatec, said after the meeting that he would be considering an appeal.

The site, 90m above sea level on land at Pond Farm, New Road, was ideal for wind speed and meant that a huge amount of beneficial green energy could be produced, which he believed outweighed any harmful impact.

A public inquiry is due this year into another application by Genatec for a taller Bodham turbine. The High Court said the decision of a planning inspector, who allowed the application on appeal, was flawed.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/27/second-bid-for-wind-turbine-at-bodham-near-holt-is-unanimously-rejected/