Huntingdonshire District Council Planning Officers today recommended refusal of the proposed Bicton Windfarm application. The application will be now determined by District Councillors sitting on the Council’s Development Management Panel on Monday 17th January 2011. (Cllr. Gray is not a member of this Panel).
Cllr. Gray said “I am delighted that the Council Officers have recognised the serious and dramatic impact that the proposed windfarm would have – particularly on Kimbolton, Tilbrook and Stow Longa. Local people have overwhelmingly rejected this as being the wrong development in the wrong place, many taking the trouble to write to me personally. I will be speaking on their behalf at the Panel meeting on January 17th and asking my fellow Councillors to refuse this application because of its overbearing on the countryside and unique heritage assets of the area.”
He added, “I am not opposed to wind power, which I think forms a part of the long-term energy requirements of this country. Like any development however, there needs to be a clear and coherent plan as to how this will be delivered. HDC has such a plan for wind power in the District, and one of the few places it specifically excludes is the ridge above Kimbolton. Our county is already delivering the renewable energy obligation required of it at the present time. “
He concluded, “I have little doubt that if we succeed in obtaining a refusal, the applicants will then appeal against this. As residents near to Cotton Farm and of Sawtry know only too well, Planning and Licensing decisions are not made on democratic grounds, but on the interpretation of relevant policies and case law. However I am sure that in this case the reasons for refusal are sound and that local opinion will win through.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
Cllr. Jonathan Gray is the District Councillor for Kimbolton & Staughton Ward, which he has represented since 2004. He lives in Tilbrook. He is the Portfolio Holder for the Environment and IT Services on the HDC Cabinet.
Contact Details for Cllr. Jonathan Gray:
Email – [email protected]
Mobile – 07796 446037