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06-04-2016

GREAT CARLTON SINGLE TURBINE APPEAL DISMISSED.
Inspector Laura Graham dismissed EDP appeal against ELDC's planning refusal on the grounds of significant adverse impacts on local landscape character, adverse impact on the setting of the AONB and the local panoramic views. The Inspector AGREED with MWAG's appraisal  of the noise impact assessment (NIA) submited by Environmental Noise Solutions Ltd (ENS) on behalf of EDP, despite this NIA being accepted by ELDC. The Inspector stated that ENS's assessment was FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED and cast significant doubt as to this being regarded as a robust peice of evidence, stating I am NOT satisfied the turbine will NOT harm the living conditions of local residents, most notably those at Rose Cottage, with particular reference to noise. A substantial number of  local objections by residents, the Parish Council and MWAG and therefore the Inspector was not satisfied the local communities concerns had been addressed and that they backed the development.

04-04-2016

GRAINTHORPE GRAIN STORE SINGLE TURBINE APPEAL DISMISSED.
Inspector Zoe Hill dismissed C W Parker Ltd appeal against ELDC's planning refusal on the grounds of significant harm in terms of cumulative landscape character, when considered with other nearby wind turbine developments. Harm to the setting of Grade 2 Grainthorpe Hall. Sustained objections from local residents, community representatives, local Parish Council and MWAG who did not back the development and therefore the proposal did not adequately comply with DCLG Written Minsterial Statement issued 18 June 2015. The Inspector considered the harm outweighted the benefits.


23-12-2015

DEVELOPER ENERGIE KONTOR NOW OUT OF TIME TO APPEAL EAST LINDSEY DISTRICT COUNCIL'S REFUSAL OF THEIR ASSERBY WIND FARM;


on the grounds of detrimental  impacts to important listed building including the landscape of Well and its Hall, Church of St Margaret along with; St Wilfred Church, Markby Priory, Church of St Peter, St. Andrews Church, Hannah and the Church of St Margaret Huttoft;  detrimental harm to local landscape character and that of the adjoining landscape character; detrimental impact on the setting and panoramic views to and from the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB.


Energie Kontor's commissioned noise impact assessment undertaken by Hoare Lea Acoustics was found to be inaccurate and failed to sufficiently demonstrate that the proposed wind turbines could operate within acceptable noise limits and therefore considered to be non-compliant.


22-10-2015

FURTHER GOOD NEWS
East Lindsey District Council have refused the 80m to blade tip wind turbine & substation application No N/158/00862/15 at MWAG site location no 27. LAND OFF, HOWDALES ROAD, SOUTH COCKERINGTON, LOUTH, LN11 7SY.            
CLICK HERE for further details

05-10-2015

MORE GOOD NEWS
The developer  Lantanier UK Ltd have informed ELDC they have WITHDRAWN their 4 x 115m turbine Wind Farm at Damwells Farm nr Ludborough & North Thoresby (See MWAG Location no 11) This application had been suspended awaiting outstanding Environmental Impact Assessment information but now will no longer proceed.


14-09-2015

GOOD NEWS FOR LINCOLNSHIRE
The Secretary of State Department of Communities & Local Government has accepted the Inspector's recommendation to Dismiss RWE's appeal
against West Lindsey District Council decision to refuse their application for a 10 x 125m turbine wind farm at Hemswell Cliff. MWAG supported the local communities fronted by VOCAT who presented a robust case at the Public Inquiry, despite RWE's failed attempt to commission the same activist's used at the Bishopthorpe Wind farm appeal to drum up support, in attempt to justify another of their inappropriate wind farm applications in Lincolnshire. This is the forth time the developer RWE have failed to gain wind farm planning permission.

CLICK HERE For FULL DETAILS



03-08-2015

GOOD NEWS
THE DEVELOPER REG WIND POWER HAVE WITHDRAWN THE CODDINGTONS YARD CROFT WIND FARM.
REG STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE NEW PLANNING GUIDANCE GIVING LOCAL COMMUNITIES GREATER SAY OVER THE WIND FARM IMPACTS. MWAG COMMISSIONED DR J YELLAND TO REVIEW THE WIND TURBINE NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT THIS WAS NON COMPLIANT AND GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF PLANNING PERMISSION ALONG WITH THE PLANNING OFFICER'S REPORT ON LANDSCAPE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACTS.

30-07-2015

VATTENFALL ANNOUNCE  WITHDRAWAL OF THE  20 x 150m turbine WIND FARM at NOCTON FEN. The proposal was opposed by the local communities headed by PNF (Protect Nocton Fen Resident's Group). MWAG also supported the campaign to stop the construction of some of the largest turbines in the country which would have severley impacted on the surrounding landscape for up to 20km, as well as creating significant visual intrusion on the nationally cherished views of Lincoln Cathedral. PNF President  Lord Cormack  stated   "This wind farm would be a monstrous intrusion on the landscape destroying for ever the setting of Lincoln Cathedral, one of the most glorious buildings in Europe and shattering the peace and tranquillity of our Lincolnshire countryside."

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER DETAILS


25-06-2015

ASSERBY WIND FARM PLANNING DECISION FINAL CONFIRMATION.

Following on from the planning committee meeting held on 05-06-2015, East Lindsey District Council have issued the full grounds for refusal, which lists the historial and landscape impacts on Well Hall and it's surrounding setting, the wider historic landscape and numerous cultural heritage assets, local and wider landscape character impacts, also including impacts on the views to and from the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB along with MWAG's late submission on unacceptable wind turbine noise impacts.

MWAG Comment : Given the new DCLG planning guidance, it will be interesting to see if the developer Energie Kontor lodge an appeal against this unanimous robust refusal decision, which has the overwhelming backing of the local communities and MWAG.

25-06-2015

CAMPAIGNERS RAMP UP BID TO  REVERSE GOVERNMENT'S CHOICE TO BACK VILLAGE WIND FARM.
ANTI-wind farm campaigners have launched a fresh bid to overturn a government decision to back a wind farm at Bishopthorpe, near Tetney.
Grimsby Telegraph 
Click Here  for full details

23-06-2015

Victoria Atkins MP publishes her question and statement in the House of Commons; welcoming the new measures announced by the Government that will see the law changed so that all planning applications for large-scale onshore wind farms in England will be considered by elected councils accountable to their local communities.
Click Here for full details.

22-06-2015

Statement by Secretary of State Amber Rudd Department of Energy & Climate Change & questions in the House of Commons on ending new subsidies for on shore wind turbines. Amber Rudd's statement commences at 15.35pm, Victoria Atkins MP for Louth & Horncastle, also present in the House question and statement is recorded at 16.31pm.
Click Here   For the video link to the House of Commons to view the proceedings.

MWAG Comment: The questions from MP's and answers given by the Secretary of State indicate that the Government is determined to give local communities the final say. MWAG will continue to represent local communities to ensure this new policy statement is enacted.

18-06-2015

Statement by Secretary of State Amber Rudd on ending new subsidies for onshore wind.
The Government intends to end new public subsidies for onshore wind farms by legislating to close the Renewables Obligation across Great Britain to new onshore wind generating stations from 1 April 2016.

The Government was elected with a commitment to end new subsidies for onshore wind and to change the law so that local people have the final say on onshore windfarm applications. We are now giving effect to these changes in full through the introduction of an Energy Bill this session. The Energy Bill will devolve powers out of Whitehall so that applications for onshore wind farms are considered by democratically elected councils.

For full details:  CLICK HERE


18-06-2015

IMPORTANT NEW PLANNING GUIDANCE ISSUED

House of Commons: Written Statement (HCWS42)
Department for Communities and Local Government
Written Statement made by:
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Greg Clark MP.  

LOCAL PLANNING

I am today setting out new considerations to be applied to proposed wind energy development so that local people have the final say on wind farm applications, fulfilling the commitment made in the Conservative election manifesto.
 
Subject to the transitional provision set out below, these considerations will take effect from 18 June and should be taken into account in planning decisions. I am also making a limited number of consequential changes to planning guidance.
 
When determining planning applications for wind energy development involving one or more wind turbines, local planning authorities should only grant planning permission if:
 
 · the development site is in an area identified as suitable for wind energy development in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan;
 
and
 
· following consultation, it can be demonstrated that the planning impacts identified by affected local communities have been fully addressed and therefore the proposal has their backing.
 
In applying these new considerations, suitable areas for wind energy development will need to have been allocated clearly in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan. Maps showing the wind resource as favourable to wind turbines, or similar, will not be sufficient.
 
Whether a proposal has the backing of the affected local community is a planning judgement for the local planning authority.
 
Where a valid planning application for a wind energy development has already been submitted to a local planning authority and the development plan does not identify suitable sites, the following transitional provision applies. In such instances, local planning authorities can find the proposal acceptable if, following consultation, they are satisfied it has addressed the planning impacts identified by affected local communities and therefore has their backing.

For Full Details CLICK HERE

MWAG COMMENT
This Government statement is a total vindication of the comprehensive campaign MWAG, alongside community groups throughout the country have been engaged in over many years, challenging the relentless and powerful wind energy industry's drive to invade our countryside with large scale inefficient industrial wind turbines. 
 
This statement also vindicates MWAG's stance regarding the outrageous Bishopthorpe Wind Farm appeal decision, which has been shown to be totally contrary our local communities environmental concerns and MWAG's evidence, alongside the Collaboration of Parish Council's presented at the appeal.
 
MWAG is even more determined to make robust representations to the Secretary of State, in the light of this new announcement, which graphically sets into context the absolute travesty of this decision and how our legitimate local concerns where swept aside by the unrepresentative evidence submitted by ASC Renewables's appointed witness and advocate at the appeal.
 
If you have not signed the Bishopthorpe Wind Farm petition and please download a copy from here:
and also take a moment to look at the MWAG presentation
 
This fight is by no means over yet, but this could be the beginning of the end.
 
MWAG will issue further statements shortly regarding the importance of the statement and how it will influence the
current wind farms at appeal and in planning within East Lindsey.

For Further Comment and Information provided by STOP WOOD LANE ACTION GROUP In YORKSHIRE

CLICK HERE

08-06-2015

A new full planning application No:  N/158/00862/15 has been submitted for the construction of a 500kW wind turbine with a hub height of 50 metres and a maximum height to blade tip of 80 metres with associated works and substation on LAND OFF, HOWDALES ROAD, SOUTH COCKERINGTON, LOUTH, LINCOLNSHIRE. LN11 7SY            
Click Here for full details

08-06-2015

Notifications have been received confirming that MWAG location 10. LAND AT CASSWELLS FARM, FULSTOW TOP, FULSTOW (IN NTH THORESBY P.C.)
N/133/00785/14 | APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN 1 x 46.3m 50 kw Turbine


05-06-2015

Today East Lindsey District Council Planning Committee considered the determination of Energie Kontor's applications for the Fen Lane FULSTOW Wind Farm MWAG location No 9 and ASSERBY Wind Farm MWAG location No 41. After excellent speeches by representitives from the local communities and careful consideration of the comprehensive Planning Officer's reports and recommendations to refuse both applications, the committee members unanimously agreed to refuse both applications. Energie Kontor have already launched an appeal against East Lindsey planning for the non-determination of the Fulstow Wind Farm. MWAG is registered with the Planning Inspectorate and will support ELDC and represent Fulstow residents and the local communities surrounding the site.

12 May 2015

MWAG LOCATION 27. LAND OFF HOWDALES ROAD, SOUTH COCKERINGTON
N/158/00884/15  Screening opinion 1 x 80m  500kW Turbine
Revised screening opinion submitted 28-04-2015 to increase height from 77m to 80m


30-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION 31. Land next to ROSE COTTAGE CASTLE LANE GREAT CARLTON N/063/01762/14 Application for 1 x 78m 500kW (Yarburgh type) Turbine. REFUSED by ELDC UNDER PLANNING OFFICER DELEGATED POWERS. MWAG COMMENT: This application for a large scale industrial turbine should never have been submitted located at a mere 450m from the nearest residency within the boundary of Gt Carlton.

CLICK HERE for decision


27-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION 52. LAND AT MARSH LANE ORBY WIND FARM has been DISMISSED on the recommendation of the Planning Inspector S R G Baird to the Secretary of State DCLG Eric Pickles MP. The Secretary of State has agreed with the Inspector's recommendation.

MWAG COMMENT: After inflicting 13 years of stress, financial hardship and torment on local residents and the surrounding ORBY community, this unprecedented wind farm planning saga surely NOW MUST must be drawn to a close. MWAG now calls upon the Applicant to desist in submitting any further wind farm applications of any size on any of the land under its control or ownership. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. MWAG pays tribute to all the hard work and dedication of the long suffering OWAG team, especially ELDC Ward Cllr Angie Smith, Mr & Mrs R Watson & Mrs Smedley.

CLICK HERE To read the full decision letter.

25-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION 35. LAND SOUTH OF Helen House Farm ROTTEN ROW THEDDLETHORPE 
N/180/01998/13 | Planning Permission - 1 x 68m (Yarburgh type) Turbine
APPEAL DECISION APPROVED

CLICK HERE To read the full decision letter

24-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION 33. LAND AT STATION ROAD LEGBOURNE LOUTH.
N/100/00209/13 | Planning Permission - 1  x 46.3m Turbine   
APPEAL DISMISSED   

CLICK HERE To read the full decision letter

20-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION No 56 CODDINGTONS YARD BANK HOUSE FARM CROFT WIND FARM Now back in Planning Developer REG have submitted
the long awaited Environmental Impact Assesments outstanding since MAY 2013.
CLICK HERE for full details

20-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION No 1 Bishopthorpe Wind Farm nr Tetney has been APPROVED on the recommendation of the Planning Inspector, Mr Philip Major to The Secretary of State DCLG Eric Pickles MP. The Secretary of State has agreed with the Inspector's recommendation.

MWAG COMMENT: Having carefully considered this appeal decision along with community feed back MWAG is extremely disappointed with this outcome and maintains that the impacts of this approval are significantly adverse.

CLICK HERE to read the full decision letter.

12-03-2015

MWAG LOCATION  41. LAND  STH OF ASSERBY AND NTH OF THURLBY, ASSERBY WIND FARM
ELDC HAVE POSTPONED THIS APPLICATION DUE TO BE DETERMINED FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA ON 12-03-2015 DUE TO A SUBMISSION BY MWAG RAISING CONCERNS REGARDING THE DEVELOPER ENERGIE KONTOR'S SUBMITTED WIND TURBINE NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT (NIA). MWAG HAVE COMMISSIONED AN ASSESSMENT & APPRAISAL OF THE NIA WHICH GIVEN EMERGING EVIDENCE MUST ENSURE THAT CONCERNED LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE CLOSEST RESIDENTS TO ANY WIND FARM OR TURBINE ARE PROTECTED FROM UNACCEPTABLE NOISE IMPACTS.

14-02-2015

Unseen, unheard wind farms a blow to health..

Groundbreaking Australian research has established a “cause and effect” existed between wind farms and health impacts on some nearby residents, a peer review by one of the world’s leading acoustic experts says.

CLICK HERE   For Full details

12-02-2015

ELDC planning Committee  Ward Councillor members unanimously refused planning permission for a turbine (MWAG listed no 13.) at GRAINTHORPE, nr LOUTH against-planning officer's recomendation to approve.
Speakers against the application where a local Grainthorpe resident, Chairman of Grainthorpe Parish Council, representative  from Yarburgh Parish Council along with a presentation by the local District Councillor. The site farm manager spoke in support.

CLICK HERE for Decision

10-02-2015

Turbine Power the cost of wind power to tax payers through 'derated' turbines paid through the 'Feed in Tariff' (FiT) subsidies.
The Yarburgh turbine at 500 kW output, is a derated turbine.

Tom Clark Science Editor Channel 4 News

CLICK HERE for full report


27-01- 2015

Sky NewsJanuary 27, 2015 Australian David Mortimer tells the suffering he is experiencing from wind turbines.

He is interviewed by Graham Richardson and Alan Jones on Sky News
David Mortimer is a farmer in South Australia who believed the developer that there would be no noise impacts and agreed to host a wind farm in back in 1996 and was constructed in 2004.

CLICK HERE For full details and video
CLICK HERE For personal testimony


21-01-2015

'Turbines may well blow an ill wind over locals, ‘first’ study shows'..

'PEOPLE living near wind farms face a greater risk of suffering health complaints caused by the low-frequency noise generated by turbines, a groundbreaking study has found'.

By Graham Lloyd, The Australian Environment Editor Sydney

'Groundbreaking new study shows the link between “wind turbine signature” and health effects'

'Acoustics expert Steven Cooper demonstrates a link between infrasound components of the blade pass frequency (and its harmonics) and the residents’ sensation observations'.

CLICK HERE for further details reported by the International support Group 'Friends Against Wind', plus accompanying PDF documents.


21-01-2015

10 minute rule bill - cut onshore subsidies 

The Onshore Wind Turbine Subsidies (Abolition) Bill was presented at the House of Commons by Conservative MP Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty)

The motion to leave to bring in the Bill was accepted by a majority of 59 to 57.

Ordered,That Nigel Adams, Chris Heaton-Harris, Sir Paul Beresford, Mr Philip Hollobone, Philip Davies, Jackie Doyle-Price, Mark Garnier, Andrew Bridgen, Mike Weatherley, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger and Sir Greg Knight present the Bill.

CLICK HERE To view the presentation of the Bill scroll through to 13.11.50

CLICK HERE to read Hansard transcript and the list of MP's for and against the Bill.

CLICK HERE for further analysis and information

21-01-2015

MWAG Location 60. FRISKNEY LAND OFF, SEA LANE, FRISKNEY
S/053/02012/14  Application - Erection of 1x 45.1 m Turbine
ELDC Planning under delegated powers REFUSED turbine 21-01-2015


12-01-2015

MWAG Location No 48. SLOOTHBY LAND OFF, HIGH LANE SOOTHBY
N/208/00858/14 Application 1 x 78m  500kW - 800kW Turbine & Sub Station
ELDC Planning under delegated powers REFUSED turbine 12-01-2015

06-01-2015

In response to ELDC's (Reg 22) suspension of Energie Kontor's FULSTOW Wind Farm application, EK submitted an Additional Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on Cultural Heritage and Archaeology dated Nov 2014, (posted on ELDC planning portal 06-01-15) This WF application is now proceeding.


30-12-2014

MWAG Location No 36. THEDDLETHORPE LAND NEXT TO NEVES FARM,
N/179/00803/14 Application 1 x 45m. 225kW  Turbine 
ELDC Planning under delegated powers APPROVED turbine 30-12-2014

17-12-2014

In response to ELDC's (Reg 22) suspension of Energie Kontor's Asserby Wind Farm application, EK submitted an Additional Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on Cultural Heritage and Archaeology dated Nov 2014, (posted on ELDC planning portal 17-12-14) This WF application is now proceeding.

Both the Damwells Farm (No11) and Fulstow Wind Farm (No9) planning applications
are currently (Reg 22) suspended pending the submission of additional EIA information.

12-12-2014

IMPORTANT Planning Application N/063/01762/14 for a Yarburgh style wind  turbine  78 metres high to blade tip at LAND OFF CASTLE LANE, GREAT CARLTON, LOUTH, LINCOLNSHIRE. LN11 8JW  has been reactivated. The developer has submitted amended impact assessment information on 25th November 2014. This was posted the ELDC's planning portal on the 05 December 2014. Any letters of objection will now be registered.

05-12-2014

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION PLANNING COURT 

Before: 
THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE LANG DBE

Between: 
Claimant  WIND PROSPECT DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED  

 - and -  
 
Defendants (1) SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
(2) EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL    

'The Claimant applies to quash a decision of the First Defendant (“The SoS”), dated 21st May 2014, to dismiss an appeal by the Claimant against refusal by the Second Defendant (“the Council”) of planning permission for a wind farm at Thornholme Field, between Driffield and Bridlington, East Yorkshire'.

The developer Wind Prospect sought a Judical Review to the High Court, against the SoS appeal decision upholding the refusal of planning permission of the Thornholme Field wind farm by East Riding District Council against an appeal recommendation to approve the application by Inspector Mr P Griffiths, 'on the ground that the Secretary of State failed to give proper, adequate and intelligible reasons for his conclusions'.  

The Hon Mrs Justice Lang DBE dismissed the claimants case concluding:

88. 'Finally, the Claimant’s counsel informed me that there was concern on the part of the Claimant and others in the “wind sector” that the Secretary of State was making politicised decisions on wind farm planning applications.  Therefore it was of particular importance that the reasons should be sufficient to demonstrate convincingly that the decision was made for proper planning reasons.  I asked Mr Nardell if he was alleging that the decision in this case was made for an improper motive or that the Secretary of State had taken into account irrelevant considerations, in which case that allegation could be considered on its merits.  Mr Nardell said he was not making any allegation of an error of law; merely observations by way of background.' 

89. 'On the evidence before me, there was nothing to suggest that this decision was based on anything other than proper planning reasons, with which the Claimant happens to disagree'. 

90. 'For the reasons set out above, the claim is dismissed'. 

MWAG COMMENT: Renewable UK on behalf of their members appear to have embarked on a campaign to undermine the legitimate powers the Secretary of State DCLG has to make the final decision in planning matters. Local communities over many years have been vehemently labled 'NIMBYs' by this powerful industry, when it is now becoming increasingly apparent that they are prepared to 'ride rough shod' over valid community and enviromental concerns, to gain planning permission for large scale wind turbines constructed at inappropriate locations.
The serious question that now needs to be addressed is: HOW MANY WIND TURBINES HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONSENTED, WHEN AFTER CAREFUL SCRUTINY AND REAPPRAISAL  IT MAY WELL BE FOUND THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN?

CLICK HERE for the Judgement document 


01-12-2014

Published: 01 December 2014
The Wind Turbine Industry's trade organisation  RenewableUK have sent an open letter to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) on the Government's interventions into wind energy projects. It includes 42 RTPI member signatures.-

'We the undersigned are writing this open letter to you as concerned members of the RTPI, involved in the wind energy industry in the UK. As you may be aware, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has continued recovering wind energy appeals and calling in planning applications for wind energy. This is bringing a halt to onshore wind development in England, a programme of work which is judged a National Infrastructure Plan Top 40 priority investment by Infrastructure UK. Wind energy is also vital in increasing our energy independence while helping us to meet our climate change objectives and decarbonising the economy'. 

MWAG COMMENT:
Signatories to this letter include 5  Project Managers employed by Energie Kontor, the developer currently constructing the Gayton le Marsh Wind Farm comprising 8 x 115m high wind turbines, along with seeking planning permission for another 7 turbines at Fulstow  and 4 more turbines of the same height near Asserby. These additional wind farms if all approved, will extend the line of wind farms to the north of Ecotricity's wind farm at Conisholme and to the south of Bambers Farm at Mablethorpe, for a vast distance along the open flat coastal marsh countryside in East Lindsey. This line will potentially link up with the 2 operational wind farms to the north at Newton Marsh and to the south at the Hollies Croft. The long running planning appeal for the Orby Wind Farm located between Asserby and Croft has concluded, but the Secretary of State decision currently will not be published until after the General Electon in May 2015.

CLICK HERE for Renewable UK Letter to RTPI



15-11-2014

Desecration! In a ferocious parting blast, the outgoing chairman of the National Trust accuses an arrogant and philistine political class of ruining some of our loveliest countryside. 

Outgoing National Trust chairman said English countryside is threatened
Simon Jenkins said we should grade countryside as with historic houses 
Farmland has been replaced by warehouses, estates and wind turbines 
HS2 railway line will crash through the Chilterns and parts of Derbyshire

What do the Royal Family, Shakespeare and the English countryside have in common? 

The answer is they are 'things about Britain' most treasured by the British people in polls at the time of the Millennium. To threaten any of them would be unthinkable.

After six years chairing the National Trust — from which I retired last week — I am left with one gloomy fact: one of these treasures is indeed threatened. The English countryside.

Rolling farmland is replaced by warehouses, bleak housing estates, wind turbines and advertising hoardings in fields. It is the start of the 'tat' that is familiar the world over when planning control collapses.

I am sure politicians such as David Cameron, George Osborne, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg never rose one morning and declared: 'This is just how I want England to look.' They have probably not noticed

They holiday in 'unspoilt' places at home or abroad, and see England only from train and car windows...............

Planning, said Cameron, would revert to 'local communities', who would have the power to decide where buildings should go.

What did Cameron mean? He must have known his ministers were proposing the precise opposite. He was already pledging the riches of Croesus to landowners — including his own father-in-law — to erect turbines across the countryside.

The public clearly values the rural landscape and wants it protected for its enjoyment. But what is true of the countryside is true of land in general. As Mark Twain said: 'They are not making it any more.'

For the past 50 years, we have relied on a political consensus to guard rural Britain. It was sacrificed only by some overriding national good, such as a new town, motorway or airport. Since the Coalition's deregulation, that has no longer applied. Villages are at the mercy of landowners, much as in Sicily, Greece or Spain.

Ministers claim to have 'empowered' local people to stop this, but in many cases they cannot. If nothing changes, the result will be a rural Britain confined to national parks and National Trust properties.

We must hope that one day Britain can recover from this philistinism, that it can recapture its ability to value rural landscape.

At present, defending the countryside is a lonely business. When I hear Government ministers and lobbyists abusing those defenders as Nimbys, I can only raise a glass and cry: 'God stand up for Nimbys.'

By Simon Jenkins For The Daily Mail

Published: 23:04, 14 November 2014 | Updated: 08:35, 15 November 2014

CLICK HERE For full article


31-10-2014

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE:

Local planning and onshore wind farms

From: Department for Communities and Local Government and Kris Hopkins MP

Communities Minister Kris Hopkins responds to an article in The Guardian on onshore wind farm planning.

Kris Hopkins said:

"Polly Toynbee’s suggestion that the government is ‘over-riding local planning’ on onshore wind farms is inaccurate and misleading (The Guardian, 28 October 2014). Her attack on ministerial decisions failed to mention that these were on recovered planning appeals: cases where the elected local council had refused or not approved the original application. The ‘assault on localism’ she infers has been coming from the wind farm developers seeking to overturn that local refusal by the council"......

"Promoting renewable energy and protecting the global environment is a worthy cause, but we shouldn’t needlessly trash the local environment in the process".


CLICK HERE  FOR FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

28-10-2014

IMPORTANT The Castle Lane Gt Carlton WInd Turbine planning application N/063/01762/14 has been INVALIDATED by East Lindsey DC planning, due to errors and a failure to submit an acceptable Environmental Impact Statement. Please do not submit any further objection letters to this absolutely flawed and inappropriate application.

20-10-2014

Health Board: wind turbines are a hazard to human health

GLENMORE, WISCONSIN, USA: “This week the Brown County Health Board went on record declaring that wind turbines “are a human health hazard“. Note: Infrasound & Low Frequency Noise is often referred to as “ILFN”

Posted by The WORLD COUNCIL OF NATURE 20-10-2014

CLICK HERE For Full Details

14-10-2014

Energie Kontor have commenced construction of the Gayton le Marsh Wind Farm.
The site access road hard core has been layed beginning to turn the entrance next to the Grange into an industrial site.
MWAG will publish ongoing construction progress reports over the coming months

12-10-2014

Today a packed meeting was held at Gt Carlton village hall to discuss the proposed 78m turbine nr Castle Lane Gt Carlton. The meeting was Chaired by the Chairman of Gt Carlton Parish Council Cllr J Neilson, speakers where local resident Mr C Perrelle, (who will be unacceptably impacted by this turbine at less than 450m from this property) Mr M Grosvenor Chairman of MWAG, ELDC Ward Cllr S Harrison. On a show of hands all bar one of the local residents in attendance objected to the proposal.

 Application INVALIDATED

22-09-2014

Planning application nos N/063/01762/14 has been submitted for the construction of  1 x 78m high  500 kW (Yarburgh Style) wind turbine, plus associated infrastructure, a substation building, at | LAND ADJACENT to CASTLE LANE, GREAT CARLTON, LINCOLNSHIRE. LN11 8JW   
This turbine will substantially impact on Gt Carlton and the surrounding communities and is unacceptably close to the nearest property Rose Cottage.         


22-09-2014

WIND TURBINE APPEAL DISMISSED, at LEGBOURNE GRANGE LEGBOURNE.

 MWAG Comment: Another wind turbine appeal dismissed, this is now the 5th consecutive turbine appeal dismissed by appointed Inspector's in East Lindsey District, since 25 July 2014)

Planning Inspector Paul Jackson B Arch (Hons) RIBA has dismissed an appeal by applicant Mr Michael Clark, against ELDC, for a 74m high wind turbine on the grounds; of 'landscape character, visual amenity a significant adverse impact on the setting of the Wolds AONB and a degree of harm to heritage assets'. The Inspector concluded; 'these grounds cannot be mitigated or made acceptable and that they significantly & demonstrably outweigh the public benefit and the production of renewable energy in this case'.

Click Here to read the Inspector's decision in full.

10-09-2014


APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN
LAND NORTH OF THORPE FARM, THORPE LE VALE, LUDFORD
WITHIN AONB N/108/01849/13 | 1 x 34.5m Turbine


28-08-2014

WIND  FARM APPEAL DISMISSED ON LAND ADJACENT TO LOUTH CANAL FEN LANE NR NORTH THORESBY.

The Secretary of State for The Department of Communities and Local Government, has accepted Inspector Mrs Zoe Hill's BA (Hons) DipBldgCons (RICS) MRTPI IHBC  recommendation to refuse planning permission for Wind Farm comprising of 3 turbines @ 113.3 m high, plus associated infrastructure, including a Met Mast at Louth Canal nr the North Thoresby Grade 2 Listed Warehouse. The appeal was submitted by the Developer, Partnerships for Renewables (Louth Canal) Ltd, against ELDC's decision published on 23 April 2013 to refuse planning permission.

The Inspector's grounds for refusal at (para 473) stated: Against those benefits there would be harm, albeit not substantial harm, to the significance of Thoresby Warehouse, a Grade 2 Listed building and the non-designated heritage asset Louth Canal. This is a matter to which I attach considerable importance given the duty set out in s 66. There would also be some modest harm to the landscape at a local level and there would be significant harm to the living conditions at Eastfield Farm. Inspector Hill at (para 474) sets out in full her reasoning that; the totality of the harms significantly and demonstrably out weigh the totality of the benefits.

Click Here to read the Secretary of State's Final Decision Letter and the Inspector's Recommendation


22-08-2014

OLD BRICKYARD PLANTATION MAWTHORPE NR WELL WIND TURBINE APPEAL DISMISSED

Planning Inspector Paul Jackson B Arch (Hons) RIBA has dismissed an appeal by Mawthorpe Farms Ltd, against the decision of ELDC to refuse permission for a 67m high turbine and associated infrastructure. Again the Inspector considered the newly issued Planning Policy Guidance, (see below) After considering the benefits of the proposal. (at para 28) he states: Against that there would be moderate/substantial adverse magnitude of effect on landscape character and visual amenity; a significant adverse impact on the setting of the Wolds AONB; and a harmful impact on the setting of important heritage assets (at para 25), St Margaret's Parish Church Grade 1 & Well Vale Hall & Gardens Grade 2 Listed). These are very significant disadvantages which cannot be mitigated or made acceptable. They significantly and demonstrably outweigh the production of renewable energy, the reduction of greenhouse gases and the public benefit in this case. 

Click Here to read the Inspector's decision in full.



29-07-2014

CALCETHORPE HOUSE FARM CALCETHORPE  (Within Lincolnshire Wolds AONB) WIND TURBINE APPEAL DISMISSED

Planning Inspector Paul Jackson B Arch (Hons) RIBA has dismissed an appeal by Milligan Manby Farm Partners against the decision Of ELDC to refuse permission of a 21.6m high turbine within the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. The Inspector again considered (at para 11 of the appeal decision) the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) recently published  Planning policy Guidance, (PPG) and refused the appeal, (at para 25) after taking into account overall Government policy & the production of renewable energy for the farm's requirements stating; 'However the limited benefits fall well short of compensating for the disadvantages to the landscape quality of the AONB, the visual impact on amenity and the harm to heritage assests that would occur in a sensitive area due to this proposal'.

Click Here to read the Inspector's decision in full.
 

25-07-2014

CAUSEWAY BRIDGE FARM MANBY WIND TURBINE APPEAL DISMISSED

Planning Inspector Ron Boyd BSC (Hons) MICE, has dismissed an appeal by Bernard Matthews Wind Energy Co-operative Ltd, against the decision of ELDC to refuse planning permission of a 78m high turbine at Causeway Bridge Farm nr Manby close to the consented Gayton le Marsh Wind Farm of 8 x 115m turbines still awaiting construction. This was despite the Inspector considering strong representation by supporters of the turbine and the developer's assertion it was promoted to provide an investment for interested parties.
The Inspector dismissed the appeal (para 15) on the basis of cumulative impacts, landscape character impacts and that the importance of the protection of local amenity as a consideration in planning decisions relating to renewable energy developments, as highlighted in the supplimentary Planning Policy Guidance updated March 2014, to the NPPF. The Inspector likewise endorsed ELDC's saved planning policies in regards to the refusal of planning permission.

More press coverage to follow.

Click Here to read the Inspector's decision in full.


12-07-2014

Communities throughout Yorkshire protesting against the Industrial Wind Turbine Invasion blighting their communities and landscapes.

Hard working families from rural villages where they care for the environment and the countryside around them. A well organised and well attended march.
     
CLICK HERE for Full details and video

An unusual protest march - for most people they had never been on a protest march before. This was families and people living across East Yorkshire and adjacent  parts of North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. They all shared a commitment to protect the countryside and the villages from industrial development on an unprecedented scale.  

Full Details of the Beverley march including a video of The Right Honorable David Davis MP speaking at the “Enough is Enough” protest meeting
Photos of the event including Marsh Wind Farm Action Group's banner in support of our near neighbours in the East Riding

http://stopwoodlanewindfarm.co.uk/news89%20beverley%20march.html