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Copyright 2004: Burnley Express
Burnley Express
February 27, 2004
LENGTH: 719 words

HEADLINE: Wind Farm Appeal Thrown Out As Goliath Is Beaten

BODY:

JUBILANT villagers are delighted after winning their David and Goliath
battle to have plans for a wind farm thrown out.

Residents of Dunnockshaw and Clowbridge are celebrating after planning
inspector Mr Keith Durrant ruled that the 12-turbine wind farm on the moors
between Crown Point Road and Clowbridge Reservoir should not go ahead.

United Utilities Green Energy Ltd had appealed against Burnley Borough
Councils decision to turn down the development.

Mr Durrant, who heard evidence during the six-day public inquiry, found that
the turbines would have a detrimental impact on the landscape. But the
inspector overturned the councils decision not to grant planning permission
for three wind turbines at New Barn Farm in Hapton, a proposal put forward
by National Wind Power.

Mr Durrants decision has been ratified by the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister.

In his report, Mr Durrant said: My conclusion is that in this case the harm
locally would be unacceptable. The quality of life for local people would be
so disrupted as to outweigh the undoubted benefits to the supply of
electricity from renewable sources. In short, the erection of 12 turbines
would, I judge, exceed the environmental capacity of the site.

He added that the site was important because of the Dunnockshaw Community
Woodland and the wider area, which is enjoyed by all sections of the
community including the disabled.

During the inquiry, protesters and councillors voiced their fears that
Burnley could be encircled by wind turbines.

Residents feared that the wind farm would dominate their views of the open
countryside and that the recreational use of the land, especially in the
Crown Point area and on the complex network of footpaths, would be
significantly reduced.

Mr Paul Hunt, business development manager for United Utilities, said: We
are obviously disappointed our plans to help make Burnley one of the
greenest boroughs in the country have not found favour with the planning
inspector.

The Clowbridge wind farm had been recommended for approval by Burnleys
planning officers and was in an area identified by the council as being
suitable for wind farm development. Had this scheme been granted, we believe
it would have generated clean, green electricity for 8,500 homes in Burnley
and helped combat global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

But the inspector came to a different conclusion for New Barn Farm, which is
a proposal to diversify a farm. In his report, he said: I am helped in my
conclusion by the lack of local opposition, the limited public access by
popular footpaths and by the modest number of turbines that would be
involved.

Residents of Clowbridge and Dunnockshaw held a collection to raise the money
to hire town planner Mr Andrew Walker to help them fight against United
Utilities.

Coun. Roger Frost, a member of the councils Development Control Committee,
is delighted by the news.

He said that he and fellow councillor Michael Rushton persuaded the rest of
the committee to turn down the United Utilities application.

Coun. Frost said: Through this appeal, the committee and the council has
been vindicated. I knew it was the right decision despite the officers
recommending it for approval. And Dunnockshaw Parish Council deserves
immense praise for the way that its members dealt with this application.

I am disappointed with the decision about New Barn Farm because it will
weaken the argument to prevent other smaller turbine developments across the
borough.

County Coun. Marcus Johnstone, who represents Burnley West, added: Im
delighted for the residents. This was a David and Goliath battle and that is
no exaggeration. They fought a very good community campaign and have proved
that people power can win.

Residents are now planning a party to celebrate their victory.

The inquiry heard evidence from United Utilities, National Wind Power,
Burnley Borough Council, Cliviger Parish Council, the British Horse Society,
the Burnley Ramblers Group, councillors and residents.

Burnleys Coal Clough wind farm is the only one in Lancashire and the
Government is now pressing for the generation of renewable energy to make up
20% of all electricity by 2020.

The moorland above Burnley was picked because of high wind speeds.

JOURNAL-CODE: FBUR

LOAD-DATE: February 28, 2004