Energy developer Energiekontor lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate against East Lindsey District Council's non-determination of the application for the eight-turbine wind farm at Gayton le Marsh in November 2012. A public inquiry was subsequently held in January 2013.
In his report, published late last week, inspector David Pinner found that the area's local plan was of "considerable age", contained no saved policies relating to wind energy development and did "not provide a realistic context for considering wind farm schemes".
Pinner said that the area's regional plan contained policies supporting renewable energy schemes whilst also aiming to protect the landscape, which was "consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)".
Pinner also found that the need to meet renewable energy targets was a major factor in allowing the application.
He said: "I have found that the scheme represents sustainable development and there is therefore a presumption in favour of granting planning permission in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework. The very recent UK Energy Roadmap Update illustrates the tough challenges of meeting the 2020 renewable energy targets and reaffirms the government's support for onshore wind."
"Furthermore, the 2020 targets do not represent the end of the process and the campaign to tackle dangerous climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions will continue for decades beyond that. Whilst failure to make the 2020 targets would be a major setback, there would be no harm in exceeding the targets if possible – that would be a good thing".
Despite recognising that the scheme would have some negative visual impact on the area, Pinner concluded: "I doubt that, in the short term at least, alternative technologies for renewable electricity generation will mature to the level that would be necessary to make wind energy unattractive as part of the overall mix.
"It is therefore my overall conclusion that, under these circumstances, the additional harm to the local landscape which would arise from the appeal scheme would be within the bounds of acceptability, especially bearing in mind that after 25 years, the wind farm would be decommissioned and there would be no lasting landscape impact".
East Lindsey District Council's portfolio holder for economic regeneration Craig Leyland said the inspector had "made the wrong decision".
He said: "Along with the community, the council put forward what we felt was a robust argument for this not to be approved. The basis of the argument was the impact these 115-metre turbines are likely to have on the local area, affecting the quality of life for local people and landscape. We are already looking closely at the appeal outcome and considering what options are available to us."
沒有留言:
張貼留言