October 16, 2015
England

Anti-turbine group happy with MP calling in decision

Ivybridge & South Brent Gazette | Friday, 16 October 2015 | www.ivybridge-today.co.uk

A planning inquiry into the Winslade Farm wind turbine application has been ordered by Greg Clark MP, the secretary of state for communities and local government.

Friends of South Hams, a pressure group formed to oppose this planning application, has welcomed the decision.

South Hams district councillors have twice granted permission for a 34-metre-high turbine at the farm, which is near Frogmore.

In May 2014 councillors on the development management committee approved the plans, but objectors applied for a judicial review and in August a judge quashed the decision.

The planning application was resubmitted and councillors once again granted permission in December 2014; but within hours the Department for Communities and Local Government had written to South Hams Council development manager Malcolm Elliott demanding that he call a halt to the scheme to allow the then secretary of state Eric Pickles to consider whether to ‘call in’ the application.

A spokesman for the Friends of South Hams said: ‘This planning application was assessed on two separate occasions by South Hams Council’s planning department and relevant organisations.

‘On both occasions senior planning officers, landscape officers, environmental officers and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty all strongly objected and recommended refusal. The local community was therefore confused when the development management committee approved the application.

‘After investigating for 10 months, the secretary of state for the Department of Communities and Local Government has decided he’ll make the decision, not South Hams’ development management committee.’

This week a spokesman from South Hams Council said: ‘We’ve received confirmation from the Department of Communities and Local Government that planning application 43/2567/13/F – for a wind turbine at Winslade Farm – has been called in by the secretary of state.

‘The application will be heard at a public inquiry, but the date has not yet been set.

‘Any comments made at the application stage will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by South Hams Council.

‘However, should anyone wish to make any additional comments, you should submit three copies to Helen Skinner at the Planning Inspectorate.

‘You can do this by emailing helen.skinner @pins.gsi.gov.uk, or send comments to Helen Skinner, Room 3/26, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol BS1 6PN by Monday, November 23.