Anti-wind farm campaigners to fight decision if turbine is approved
Shropshire anti-wind campaigners have vowed to take their fight to appeal if an application for a wind turbine is given the go-ahead by county councillors tomorrow.
Members of Stop Bridgnorth Wind Farm said if the application for a 77-metre high turbine at The Hills, near The Down, is approved they would be “left with no option than to launch a judicial review”.
The application has been recommended for approval by the planning officer, who admitted that his decision was “finely balanced”.
A spokesman from SBWF said: “All we are asking for is a fair decision, taken on its merit, and which reflects the opinion of local people.
“We very much hope that Council members won’t be influenced by the fact that a refusal might lead to an appeal from the applicant which might end up incurring costs for the authority.
“We, too, would be left with no option than to seek a judicial review if it is approved because we believe that we are in a strong position legally to fight it.”
The group has also said that the case officer’s recommendation ignores the opinion of the community.
“The parish councils of Chetton, Neenton and Eardington have all objected to this application, as has Bridgnorth Town Council,” SBWF added.
“The council meetings voted overwhelmingly against the application, very much reflecting local opinion which, while it is generally in favour of renewable energy schemes, refuses to let inappropriately sited schemes be passed without opposition.
“Does the decision of all the elected representatives who are familiar with the area count for nothing?
“The Council portal also revealed 10 times the number of objections to the application to The Hills, than those in support.
“We have heard a great deal from leading figures in both central and local government insisting that the voices of the local community be heard with regard to planning decisions, and we very much hope this will be the case on Tuesday.
“I should also point out that the National Trust and Shropshire Riding and Carriage Driving Forum have also objected to the project.
“This is our rural heritage at stake and the councillors’ decision on Tuesday will go a long way to determining the future of a beautiful, treasured and unspoilt part of the Shropshire landscape.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to keep it that way.”
