Controversial wind farm gets go-ahead on appeal (From The Oxford Times)

Controversial wind farm gets go-ahead on appeal

10:10am Wednesday 7th July 2010 in

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A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a wind farm near Bicester got the go-ahead yesterday, shocking villagers who campaigned against the project.

A planning inspector approved plans for four giant wind turbines on the outskirts of Bicester.

He upheld an appeal against Cherwell district councillors’ decision to refuse planning consent for the £10m wind farm at Willowbank Farm, between Fritwell and Fewcott.

John Watson ruled that Derbyshire firm Bolsterstone could build the 125-metre-tall (410ft) turbines, a control building and access at the farm, near the M40.

The wind farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 5,400 homes.

Campaigners said they were devastated by the ruling, which said the environmental benefits outweighed any impact on the surrounding area.

The decision came the same day as a public inquiry opened into plans to build a £100m waste incinerator at nearby Ardley Fields.

Michael Hall, of Ardley with Fewcott Parish Council, said: “We’re horrified with the timing. We’re a very beleaguered community, having to fight two applications for major facilities at the same time.

“We’re very disappointed by the decision and will be reading the inspector’s notice with interest.”

District councillors James Macnamara and Catherine Fulljames said they would now support a motion calling for the authority to develop a planning policy limiting how close turbines could be built to homes.

Mr Macnamara said: “This will open the floodgates to industrial development across swathes of our countryside.”

Mrs Fulljames added: “The inspector said the need was greater than the inconvenience to people who are going to live in the vicinity of these monsters.”

In his report, Mr Watson said that there were long-term benefits in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from thermal power plants and that the wind farm was not detrimental to local conservation areas, historical monuments or buildings in the surrounding countryside.

He said: “The reduced amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be a continuing benefit for years after the turbines were removed.

“I attribute significant weight to this benefit.

“The harm associated with the proposal is all of a type that would cease at the end of the development’s life.

“None of the harmful effects identified would continue in the long term and there would be no enduring harm to the significance of heritage assets.

“I conclude that the benefit would outweigh the harm.”

No-one from Bolsterstone was available to comment yesterday.