November 23, 2016
England

Inquiry gets underway into controversial plans for two north Norfolk wind turbines

Miles Jermy | Eastern Daily Press | 22 November 2016 | www.edp24.co.uk

Opposing sides made their case at the opening of a public inquiry into controversial plans to erect two wind turbines near Holt.

Genatec is seeking permission to build a 66m turbine at Pond Farm, Bodham.

Plans for a wind turbine up to 78m tall on land at Selbrigg Farm, Hempstead have been submitted by Selbrigg Generation.

Both applications have gone to appeal after they were rejected by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) last year.

The inquiry, which is expected to last more than a week, is being heard by planning inspector John Braithwaite at the council’s Cromer HQ.

Speaking at the start of the inquiry today barrister for NNDC Estelle Dehon said: “The harmful impact of each turbine on its own is sufficient to justify refusal of each invidual appeal. When viewed cumulatively, the case redoubles, particularly given that the turbines will both be visible from certain key points in the landscape and in settings of certain important heritage assets.”

Ashley Bowes, for NOTTT, which is campaigning against the Bodham application, argued that the proposed wind turbine was in conflict with the local development plan.

He said the turbine would have a damaging impact on heritage buildings including Baconsthorpe Castle and Barningham Hall and interfere with the operation of a nearby police mast.

David Hardy for Genatec described the Bodham windturbine as a “small scale development” and argued that if only one application was approved it should be Pond Farm.

Paul Maile, representing Selbrigg Generation, argued that the turbine would have no significant affect on the nearby North Norfolk Coast area of outstanding beauty.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/11/23/inquiry-gets-underway-into-controversial-plans-for-two-north-norfolk-wind-turbines/