HIGH COURT BLOWS OUT  WIND FARM BID

Villagers are celebrating after receiving news this week that a wind farm planned for land near Helmdon, Greatworth and Sulgrave will not now go ahead.

The verdict follows a lengthy legal battle that began in 2011 when  South Northamptonshire Council refused a proposal – put forward by Broadview Energy – for five turbines on land north of the B4525 Welsh Lane.

Broadview’s successful appeal of the decision was then challenged by South Northamptonshire Council, resulting in a High Court hearing on December 5 ahead of this week’s decision.

Councillor Stephen Clarke, chairman of the council’s development control committee, said: “I am delighted our course of action has been vindicated.

“SNC will continue to support its local communities when they are threatened by inappropriate development.”

Four of the five grounds in the challenge by SNC were dismissed, but Judge Mackie concluded the planning inspector’s decision letter did not meet planning law requirements.

Jeffrey Corrigan, managing director of Broadview said: “It is important to recognise the main substance of the inspector’s judgement of the scheme was not called in to question.”

Several action groups have been set up by residents against the proposals in affected villages, including The Tove Action Group (TAG), which consists of people living in the south of Towcester and in the Tove Valley.

A statement from the group said: “We take great heart from this decision and believe very similar considerations would have to apply to any decision about a wind farm south of Towcester.  This is not the right part of the county for such development.”

Brackley & Towcester Advertiser – 18 January 2012

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