Wind firmtries againfor 'uglydisaster'

Alexandra Wood

WIND farm developers will be trying this week to gain permission for five more turbines in the Yorkshire Wolds, creating what campaigners have branded an “ugly disaster”.

The application by Cornwall Light and Power was refused last March, but since then developers of an adjacent six-turbine wind farm have been granted planning permission on appeal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Both Sanction and Newbald parish councils object to the “overpowering and unsightly” combination of two schemes, just 1km from Sancton.

Natural England says the proposal will spoil the view from the Wolds Way, the national long-distance walking trail that runs from Hessle on the Humber estuary, along the Wolds tops and valleys to Filey Brigg.

The Ramblers Association has formally objected saying it will ruin “a welcoming conspicuous landscape feature” visible to motorists driving east on the M62, adding: “The proposal for five turbines must be considered in conjunction with the adjacent proposal for six wind turbines submitted at Sober Hill.

“The provision of 11 turbines would be nothing less than an ugly disaster.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However the developers say they have made a number of design changes to minimise its impact and that the development will “appear as one single wind farm... no materially different to what is already consented”.

Planners agree and are recommending approval at a meeting at County Hall, Beverley on Thursday. They say the “host landscape” would be “sufficiently robust” for both farms.

Matt Partridge, from Cornwall Light and Power, said: “We are pleased that the officers are recommending approval. We think that’s the right decision on balance.”

The expected capacity of the farm is 10 MW.

Related topics: