Your Energy gains consent for East Riding wind farm

Plans put forward by Your Energy for a 10-turbine wind farm near Howden in East Riding have been approved following a public inquiry after the scheme was initially rejected by the local authority.

East Riding Council had turned down the project citing concerns about the visual impact of the turbines on local communities, the landscape and historic Howden Minster.

Objectors had also told the inquiry inspector in October that the wind farm would create unacceptable noise levels, disturb wildlife and destroy centuries.

Appeal inspector Philip Major disagreed with the council's and opponents' arguments, adding that the scheme was in line with national renewable energy policies.

Your Energy's Bridget Savage, development manager for the project, said: "We have worked towards a proposal that is sensitive to its surroundings and this has been acknowledged by the planning inspector.

"We have engaged with many residents, and want to reassure them of our commitment to be a responsible neighbour."

Another planning inquiry got underway in the area on 8 December with West Coast Energy appealing against a decision to refuse its application for a six-turbine wind farm near Market Weighton in East Riding.

In his opening address, David Hardy, representing West Coast Energy, said: "When the performance of the council is interrogated properly it becomes depressingly clear the council has granted planning permission for very few schemes that contribute to the national grid.

"Schemes upon which it now relies in relation to targets, such as Out Newton, Routh and Withernwick, were turned down and left to the inspectorate.

"This council is an anti-wind farm council. Given the seriousness of climate change and the national policy imperative, this is unacceptable."

East Riding Council has also lost previous appeals against refusal of planning permission for wind farms at Withernwick, Out Newton, and Routh.