On-shore Wind Turbines Dismissed at Appeal

In a climate where commercial on-shore wind farms enjoy considerable national policy support, a Planning Inspector has bucked the trend and refused planning permission for a three turbine scheme near Hilston in East Yorkshire.  The East Riding of Yorkshire Council represented by Megan Thomas, a member of Chambers, argued that the scheme would result in undue harm to the landscape character and visual amenity of the agricultural landscape when added to three other nearby schemes which had been permitted.  The Inspector found that there would be unacceptable cumulative impact and dismissed the appeal.  The appellant, Energiekontor UK Ltd, was represented by Cobbetts solicitors.  The full appeal decision can be found atwww.planningportal.gov.uk by entering 2130670 in the Search for an Appeal page. The decision is dated 7 January 2011.