August 12, 2015
England

Plans for controversial £15m windfarm near Guisborough are scrapped

By Ian McNeal | The Gazette | 12 August 2015 | www.gazettelive.co.uk

Plans for a controversial £15m giant windfarm near Guisborough have been scrapped.

Developer Banks Renewables wanted to build a five-turbine, 433ft-high windfarm on farmland off Wilton Lane, north of the A171.

The proposals for the Bank Field project – with turbines twice the height of the Transporter Bridge – faced strong opposition.

Thousands of locals signed a petition against the plans, while the North York Moors National Park Authority and Roseberry Topping owner The National Trust were also opposed.

Banks today confirmed it had withdrawn the application to Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Richard Dunkley, executive director, said: “We have taken this decision after a serious review following changes made in government policy towards onshore wind.

“As a result of these changes, we do not believe that the project is now viable.

“This policy change now favours more expensive renewable technologies which will unnecessarily increase electricity bills for consumers.

“It is a disappointing that the community will not be able to receive the social, economic and environmental benefits the scheme would have delivered and we do believe that Bank Field remains a highly suitable site for an onshore windfarm.

“If the political climate changes, we would reconsider taking a similar scheme forward at the site.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for all their support for this project over many months.”

Plans for the windfarm, at Park Woods on land owned by Gisborough Estate, emerged in 2012 and quickly attracted criticism.

The National Trust said views would be blighted and the turbines would be “dominant and intrusive”.

The NYMNPA also said views of hills for miles around could be affected by the height and proximity of the turbines.

Local campaigners raised fears that values of homes would fall if the scheme went ahead.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop said he was “very pleased” at the announcement.

He said: “It will come as a huge relief for local residents in Dunsdale village, Mount Pleasant and north Guisborough who I have campaigned alongside in opposing this application.

“It was completely the wrong location for such a development. Hopefully, this will be the end of the issue and local residents can now move on.”

The farm had initially been planned to include six turbines but was cut to five in 2012. It was estimated about 40 jobs would have been be created.

Mr Blenkinsop repeated his criticism of the support of the project by landowner Lord Gisborough.

Responding to a similar attack in 2012, Lord Gisborough accused the MP of engaging in “insults and cheap political jibes”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/08/12/plans-for-controversial-15m-windfarm-near-guisborough-are-scrapped/