Broadview

< Back to all project news 16 Nov 2011 - Spring Farm Ridge Broadview to appeal refusal of Spring Farm Ridge wind farm

Broadview Energy has today announced its intention to lodge an appeal to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, against the refusal by South Northamptonshire Council of its plans for a five turbine wind farm between the villages of Greatworth, Helmdon and Sulgrave.

The original planning application was made by Broadview in October 2010 following completion of extensive technical and environmental studies, as well as a range of consultations with the local community, South Northamptonshire Council and key organisations such as Natural England and the Environment Agency.  The decision to refuse the planning application was made by the Council’s development committee in June of this year, despite the Council receiving 270 letters of support for the proposal.  

Since the refusal of the planning application, Broadview has been weighing up its options for the site.  After careful review of the reasons for refusal, it has been decided that the most appropriate course of action is to seek a decision through the planning appeal process.  The Planning Inspectorate will now appoint an independent inspector who will hear evidence from all parties including Broadview, the Council and local residents before making a final decision on the proposal.

Olly Buck, Development Manager for Broadview Energy, said:  “We were very disappointed with the decision to refuse our application as we tried to liaise closely with South Northants Council’s planning department throughout the process.  Since that time, we have carefully reviewed the reasons for refusal and taken advice from our expert consultants to decide the best course of action.  We still firmly believe that the Spring Farm Ridge site is an excellent location for a small wind farm and we are therefore left with no choice but to appeal to The Planning Inspectorate. We hope that the Government Inspector who is appointed will balance the national need for renewable energy alongside the localised impacts and therefore support the scheme.  The UK is currently facing a significant challenge in keeping the lights on, and with the impending closure of both nuclear and coal fired power stations across the country, onshore wind farms such as Spring Farm Ridge have the potential to make a valuable contribution towards filling the energy gap at a relatively low cost.”
   

Notes to editors:

1. Broadview Energy Limited www.broadviewenergy.com develops wind energy projects in the United Kingdom that will generate clean, sustainable energy. Broadview takes projects from site identification, through the planning process, to construction and ultimately operation. The company has two operational wind farms: Hill of Fiddes in Aberdeenshire and Low Spinney in Leicestershire. Broadview has a number of other projects at various stages of the development process throughout the United Kingdom.

2. More information on the Spring Farm Ridge wind farm can be obtained via the dedicated project web pages: www.springfarmridge.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

Lisa Ross at Broadview Energy Limited (lross@broadviewenergy.com / 020 7268 9911).