by Alan Quick

A SECOND appeal for a wind turbine at North Beer Farm, Spreyton, has been refused by the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

In an appeal decision announced on August 12, following a site visit on June 20, Anne Jordan dismissed the appeal by Powerhawk Ltd who had applied for a single wind turbine with maximum blade tip height of 67 metres, formation of new vehicular access track and associated infrastructure.

The application, dated December 16, 2014, was refused initially on August 18, 2015.

The main issues Ms Jordan highlighted for dismissal during the second appeal were: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area and; the effect of the proposal on the architecture and historic significance of nearby listed buildings.

Following the second decision, Penny Mills from CPRE Devon said: “CPRE Devon is pleased that an Inspector has dismissed the appeal for this large wind turbine.

“The turbine would have a had an adverse impact on the landscape, on heritage assets and on people living nearby.

“Den Brook Wind Farm, now under construction, will have a dramatic effect on our landscape.

“To site another large turbine nearby would have been unacceptable.

“It is interesting to note that as far as we are aware, only one wind turbine appeal (at Harberton, in the South Hams) has been allowed in the whole of the South West, since the Written Ministerial Statement of June 2015, which clearly stated that a wind turbine would only be allowed if it had the support of the local community.”

It was in a House of Commons Written Statement (HCWS42) Department for Communities and Local Government Written Statement made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark) on June 18, 2015, which stated:

“Local planning  

“I am today setting out new considerations to be applied to proposed wind energy development so that local people have the final say on wind farm applications, fulfilling the commitment made in the Conservative election manifesto.

“Subject to the transitional provision set out below, these considerations will take effect from June 18 and should be taken into account in planning decisions.

“I am also making a limited number of consequential changes to planning guidance.

“When determining planning applications for wind energy development involving one or more wind turbines, local planning authorities should only grant planning permission if:

• the development site is in an area identified as suitable for wind energy development in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan; and

• following consultation, it can be demonstrated that the planning impacts identified by affected local communities have been fully addressed and therefore the proposal has their backing.

“In applying these new considerations, suitable areas for wind energy development will need to have been allocated clearly in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan.

“Maps showing the wind resource as favourable to wind turbines, or similar, will not be sufficient. Whether a proposal has the backing of the affected local community is a planning judgement for the local planning authority.

“Where a valid planning application for a wind energy development has already been submitted to a local planning authority and the development plan does not identify suitable sites, the following transitional provision applies.

“In such instances, local planning authorities can find the proposal acceptable if, following consultation, they are satisfied it has addressed the planning impacts identified by affected local communities and therefore has their backing.”