Company behind seven turbine wind farm near Wisbech set to launch appeal against rejection

THE company proposing the seven turbine Grange Wind Farm near Wisbech has appealed against South Holland District Council s decision to turn down the planning application. RES submitted plans for the wind farm on land at Grange Farm between Tydd St. Mar

THE company proposing the seven turbine Grange Wind Farm near Wisbech has appealed against South Holland District Council's decision to turn down the planning application.

RES submitted plans for the wind farm on land at Grange Farm between Tydd St. Mary and Sutton Bridge in June 2009.

The company says that "despite being presented with strong evidence that the wind farm would have no significant environmental or social impacts" and that there were

"high levels of public support", the council rejected it.

RES says each turbine would have had an indicative capacity of 2MW, with a maximum height to the tip of the blade of 127m "and would take advantage of the excellent wind speeds in the area to produce enough clean, green electricity to power more than 8,000 homes".

A spokesman added: "The wind farm would also generate a community fund of around �28,000 per year."

Annette Deveson, Head of Development for RES, said: "We feel we have a strong case for an appeal. The council refused the wind farm on the grounds of landscape and visual impacts.

"But if the UK is to meet ambitious targets for producing energy from renewable sources to cut CO2 emissions, increase the security of our energy supply and ensure that our landscapes are protected from climate change, well designed wind farms like The Grange need to be approved."

The appeal is being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for England and Wales, and the outcome will be determined by an independent Planning Inspector.