The recent trend of anti-wind farm campaigners challenging wind farm planning consents is unlikely to continue if the experiences of recent court cases are repeated.
Den Brook wind farm, near Crediton in Devon was first proposed five years ago. After being given the go- ahead by the Planning Inspectorate at appeal, challenges were mounted by resident Mr Hulme against the Government’s decision. The latest judge to consider the case – Frances Patterson QC however rejected all 10 reasons for the high court challenge, concluding that the decision to grant consent for the 9 wind turbines was ‘thorough and reasonable’.
Helen Hall, project manager for wind farm company RES told the BBC: “We are really pleased that a line has finally been drawn, at the highest level, under any doubts about this wind farm.
“The project has been given planning consent twice after two detailed public inquiries and has also been the subject of two High Court challenges.”
The decision on Den Brook comes after a failed High Court challenge made by Brian and Rebecca Barnes last month in an attempt to stop a Cumbrian wind farm. The six turbine Armistead wind farm put forward by Banks Renewables was given a second green light leaving the complainant couple with a court bill of £15,000 in addition to lawyer’s fees.
wayne dale
January 13th, 2011
Those poor people having to pay all that, when trying to stop another useless blot on the landscape appearing ! It seems that nothing can stop the windfarms, even if up to 80 households could loose their springwater supplies as a result of a windfarm being built on a springwater gathering ground !!!
Andy Mason
May 13th, 2011
This makes me very angry! Why are these mega rich wind turbine companies allowed to appeal so many times , causing financial hardshipt to the protest group.a no from the council should be a no & thats the ned of it.Makes me sick!
Notice no talk of how they propose to get the so called “POWER” FROM THESE USELESS WIND MILLS TO THE GRID!
Ben Palmer
May 16th, 2011
In order to get justice you need very deep pockets, the wind industry have their contacts at the highest level making it almost impossible to beat them as long as our politicians have bought in to the windfarm scam.