Linton windfarm plans dealt blow by Uttlesford District Council
CAMPAIGNERS fighting a controversial bid to build a windfarm in Linton have received a boost ahead of a crucial decision-making meeting. Planning officers at Uttlesford District Council (UDC) have recommended that members reject the application for a sing
CAMPAIGNERS fighting a controversial bid to build a windfarm in Linton have received a boost ahead of a crucial decision-making meeting.
Planning officers at Uttlesford District Council (UDC) have recommended that members reject the application for a single wind turbine near to the village of Hadstock.
Although only one of the turbines from the planned windfarm falls under UDC's jurisdiction, campaigners are delighted by the news.
Spokesman for the Stop Linton Windfarm Action Group, Adrian Thomas, said: "We are obviously very pleased about the officers' recommendation for rejection of the single turbine in Uttlesford district, and feel this vindicates our argument we have put forward over the past couple of years."
The application for an 80 metre-high turbine with three blades, each 45 metres long, will be considered at a development control committee meeting on Tuesday (June 23). The turbine forms part of a larger eight-turbine windfarm.
In their report, officers concluded that the proposals would result in an "adverse impact on the character of the rural area" and especially on the Hadstock conservation area.
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They also felt that noise levels could be above acceptable levels for people living nearby and that not enough consideration had been given to the impact on radar and aviation interests.
Although officers have recommended that the plan is thrown out, councillors may still decide to back the scheme if they feel the negative impact on Uttlesford is offset by the contribution towards meeting regional and national targets for renewable energy.
In a second blow for Enertrag, the windfarm developers, UDC officers have also recommended that the council does not give its backing to the planning application for the seven turbines being considered by South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Mr Thomas said: "We shall be attending the determination meeting at the Uttlesford District Council offices next Tuesday where we will be hoping for a full rejection of the scheme by the planning committee.
