HSGWAG: at last it is over

At Last it is Over
Finally, the fight against Broadview’s plan to erect 5 giant wind turbines along
Welsh Lane is over. In June three judges in the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal from
Broadview against the Secretary of State’s decision not to allow these turbines to be built.
A further appeal was possible but we have heard that Broadview will not be pursuing their proposals any further. So after six and half years it is over and we have achieved our objective.
It has been a roller coaster ride. We have been through two full planning enquires, been to the High Court twice and to the Court of Appeal. It has cost a lot of money. We have had to spend over £200,000 in legal costs, securing professional experts to help us make our case and producing our evidence all of which was raised locally in the villages. It was a tremendous effort. Without this support we could not have continued to stay in the fight until victory was secured. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
But it was not only money that was donated. Many people gave their time and their expertise along the way which helped us match the professionals on the Broadview side and make the winning arguments. It would be a very long list if I were to mention everyone who helped however; there are two people, who deserve a special mention,
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Firstly Veronica Ward of Greatworth, who bravely submitted appeals against the first planning enquiry in her own name when the processes and procedures made it difficult for the committee to do so. She exposed herself to a liability of substantial costs but her action played an important part in the inquiry being re-
run and therefore our ultimate victory.
Secondly Colin Wootton Of Sulgrave, who did so much throughout the six and half years of the campaign from producing photographs showing how the turbines would really look in the landscape to acting as assistant to our Barrister at the second enquiry and later court appearances. Colin was central to the campaign throughout.
With everyone’s help we got there. Broadview will not be building their wind turbines and the people of Stuchbury, Helmdon Road in Greatworth and Grange Farm in Helmdon will not have their lives blighted.
So having reached this point the Helmdon, Stuchbury and Greatworth Windfarm Action
Group (HSGWAG) will now be closed down and cease to exist. It remains only for me to thank everyone who served on the committee during its long life. It was one of the best committees I have served on and one where everyone took the lead at the appropriate time when the tasks before us required their special abilities and talents.
Keith Jones
Chairman HSGWAG