Anger at Minister's go-ahead for controversial windfarm

COUNTRYSIDE campaigners and a senior councillor have spoken of their “frustration” after the Government gave the go-ahead for a controversial windfarm in the East Riding.

Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham yesterday approved a six-turbine development by West Coast Energy Ltd on land north of Sober Hill Farm, North Newbald.

It is the fifth time in two years that the Government has overruled East Riding Council on a windfarm application, after a scheme was initially rejected by the local planning authority.

The East Riding has already passed its Government-set renewable energy target set for 2021 of 148 megawatts, and with the number of windfarms already approved will produce 160 megawatts of electricity by that date.

The council’s portfolio holder for the environment and planning, Symon Fraser, said: “It’s very frustrating when the views of local people are discounted time after time.

“It’s particularly worrying in this case because that Sober Hill site is in an area of high landscape value and we are going to have these structures imposed on us.”

The project was also opposed by the Ramblers Association (RA), which argued the 100-metre high turbines – which will overlook the Wolds Way – would spoil people’s enjoyment of the area.

Peter Ayling, the RA’s countryside secretary for the East Yorkshire and Derwent area, who gave evidence to an inquiry into the scheme, said: “We don’t oppose all windfarms but some in certain situations.

“This is right on the crest of the Wolds, the highest spot there, and we are disappointed.”

Mr Denham said any “detrimental impact” on the area was outweighed by the scheme’s contribution to renewable energy objectives.

He said the target should be seen as “a floor rather than a ceiling”.

The Secretary of Sate’s report into the decision notes that efforts to have the Yorkshire Wolds defined as an area of Area High Landscape Value had not been supported by a “robust landscape appraisal”.

The report said: “He considers this absence of evidence to be a material consideration to which he attaches significant weight.”