June 11, 2015
England

“Enough is enough” say wind farm campaigners after 1,000 letters see turbine plan refused

East Lindsey Target | June 11, 2015 | www.eastlindseytarget.co.uk

Communities living near proposed sites for wind farms are saying “enough is enough” to developers.

This comes as two wind farm applications by Energy Kontor UK were turned down by East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee.

One of the applications – seven turbines at Fulstow – will be determined by the planning inspector after the council failed to determine the application within 16 weeks.

Plans for four 115m high turbines off Sutton Road in Asserby, near the villages of Bilsby and Huttoft attracted 971 letters of objection from residents.

It was unanimously refused due to the detrimental impact on the setting of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as harm to the setting of historic assets such as Well and its hall and four nearby churches.

Councillor Neil Cooper, chairman of the council’s planning committee, said following the refusals: “We will continue to consider every application that comes before us on its own merits.

“However the public were very concerned about the cumulative effect as well as the effect on the landscape.

“Now we have around 1,000 letters of objections it shows there is a strong feeling out there.

“What we need is an absolute mix of all the technologies. If we become over reliant on renewables it will jeopardise the energy security of the country.”

Dot Morley, chairman of Bilsby and Farlesthorpe Parish Council said: “This project will have an adverse affect on the tourism industry which apart from farming, this district depends on.

“These turbines will be far higher than Lincoln Cathedral, overbearing on our homes, gardens, school and community areas.

“There are hundreds of offshore turbines which are visible to many as well as 16 turbines at Mablethorpe and more at Conisholme. Enough is enough.”

Marlene Sylvester, clerk to Huttoft Parish Council, added: “People are concerned if this development goes ahead, Huttoft will be left surrounded by multiple wind farms.”

Michael Briggs, project manager for Energy Kontor said this area was chosen by a Government pilot project as a test bed for wind technologies.

He said: “This is a £3million project already paid for by the Government but no wind farms have been able to get permission. This project would generate £50,000 a year every year of the 25-year life for the wind farm for the community.

“It would also generate money for the council as local authorities can keep the business rates. This would be £100,000 a year straight to East Lindsey.”

A separate application for seven 115m turbines at Fulstow was also turned down but because the council failed to determine the application with 16 weeks, the final decision will now be made through a non-determination appeal to the secretary of state.

The turbines would be close to the A1031 coast road near North Thoresby, close to Louth Canal and the villages of Fulstow and Covenham.

The villages are also near the existing 21-turbine wind farm at Conisholme.

It is the latest in a raft of different bids to construct various wind farms.

Eight more turbines could be built at Bishopthorpe Farm near Tetney after another appeal was granted by the Secretary of State.

A separate application for three turbines at Louth Canal was rejected recently due to the impact on the landscape.

Mary Simons, who has lived in Fulstow for 35 years, said: “Our biggest concern is we are going to be surrounded by wind farms and Fulstow will lose its identity.

“The beauty of the village is its starkness in summer and winter and its uninterrupted vista.

“We often catch sighting of ships on the Humber – it is a very special sight. More wind farms would ruin the beauty of this landscape.”

Cllr John Kelly, vice-chairman of Covenham Parish Council, said that together with the wind farm at Conisholme, this latest plan would create a half-circle of wind farms around the village.

He said: “East Lindsey has already delivered its share to help the carbon footprint and now residents and visitors are saying enough is enough.”

Melvyn Grosvenor, who campaigns against wind farms as part of the Marsh Windfarm Action Group said he was extremely pleased with the decisions made by East Lindsey District Council.

He said: “It shows beyond all doubt that local communities are opposed to both applications and Energy Kontor to extend the line of wind farms north of Consiholme and Bambers wind farm at Mablethorpe.

“The fight goes on.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/06/11/enough-is-enough-say-wind-farm-campaigners-after-1000-letters-see-turbine-plan-refused/