October 1, 2015
England

Wind turbine will not be built near Haverhill

Cambridge News | September 30, 2015 | www.cambridge-news.co.uk

A controversial proposed wind turbine will not be built – after being rejected by both the borough council and the planning inspectorate.

A key reason for the appeal being dismissed is that local councillors and residents have been fighting it since it was first submitted.

Planning inspector Ron Boyd wrote in his report that he supported the principle that “local people should have the final say on wind energy proposals”.

The original application to build the turbine, on farmland at Nosterfield End just outside Haverhill, was submitted in February 2013.

It was rejected by St Edmundsbury Borough Council in February 2014, as councillors thought it would damage the character of the area.

Saffron Walden-based applicant James Sills launched an appeal against the decision last September, which was dismissed on Monday.

Haverhill Town Council, Helions Bumpstead parish council and residents in Hazel Stub near the propsed site were all involved in objecting to the application.

Chair of Helions Bumpstead parish council Jane Catchesides said: “It’s a brilliant result, absolutely brilliant, and it shows that local democracy still works.

“We are just across the border into Essex but we made a contribution to the board at St Edmundsbury.

“Lots of people in Helions Bumpstead would have been affected by it. It would have damaged the sight-line an awful lot.”

Another reason for the dismissal was that it would result in “some limited harm to living conditions” for those living within 1km of the site.

The applicant and his agent were not able to comment at this time.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/10/01/wind-turbine-will-not-be-built-near-haverhill/