FENLAND: Consortium tells Government it has ditched current plans for 19 turbines near Wisbech

THE consortium hoping to build 19 wind turbines near Wisbech has ditched its current application and says it will consult with residents before making a fresh bid. Richard Kowitz, senior project manager for Marshland Wind Farm Ltd, says the application ha

THE consortium hoping to build 19 wind turbines near Wisbech has ditched its current application and says it will consult with residents before making a fresh bid.

Richard Kowitz, senior project manager for Marshland Wind Farm Ltd, says the application has been withdrawn "in order to re-engage with the public and consultees regarding raised concerns about our proposals."

Mr Kowitz, who says he intends to the submit a fresh application later in the year, has told the Department of Energy and Climate Change the present bid is dead in the water.

Withdrawal of the application, decisively rejected by West Norfolk Borough Council's Development Control Board, follows a two year battle by opponents to halt the wind farm which they claim would have despoiled a large area of Fenland. Originally plans were announced for 26 wind turbines but this was later scaled back.

Councillor David Markinson, who won election to the borough council on the strength of his opposition to the wind farm, today welcomed the consortium's announcement.

"It is apparent that so much of the original application fell short of requirement that to abandon it was the only realistic option from the developers' point of view," he said.

"Quite where things go from here I cannot say although before revisiting this ambitious plan the developers will need to examine very closely if this area is a viable option."

He said it would be difficult to overcome objections from amongst others the MOD, Natural England, County Highways, The Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk "and most importantly the hundreds of residents who are opposed".