A public inquiry into a planned wind farm in Kent will see a relay system and marquee set up because so many people are expected to attend. Dover Council is expecting "significant interest" in the hearing in January. ...Council papers this year reported "considerable public opposition" to the scheme with 800 letters of objection.

Zoning/Planning UK

Readers may not be aware that Fenland Council have announced they are seeking residents' comments on their draft Wind Turbine Development Policy which will be used as a guide in considering future proposals for wind turbines in Fenland.

Zoning/Planning UK

The storm over the city wind farm has still to blow out - despite opponents running out of UK options for defeating the plan. They say they may turn to the European courts after they were refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords. The company behind the proposed seven wind turbines at Petsoe Manor Farm, Emberton, Your Energy, welcomed the decision by the Lords appeal committee effectively upholding Milton Keynes Council's approval of the project.

Energy Policy Zoning/Planning UK

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is drawing up plans that will see wind turbines constructed on its estates as part of a new green energy drive. The move, which will see the RSPB generating power for its own buildings and selling any surplus to the National Grid, is likely to anger some RSPB members who believe wind farms pose a threat to rare birds of prey.

Impact on Birds Impact on Wildlife Zoning/Planning UK

Proposals for a controversial wind farm that could be viewed from across East Lancashire have been thrown out by planners. ...German firm Energiekontor put forward the proposal for land at Brightenber Hill between West Marton and Bank Newton in Craven, North Yorkshire. The decision was greeted by loud cheers by around 270 people who attended a special meeting of Craven's planning committee in Skipton.

Zoning/Planning UK

Protesters waving placards will greet councillors tonight as they meet to discuss plans for a wind farm at a beauty spot in the Yorkshire Dales. Dozens of objectors are expected at a Craven Council planning meeting which will rule on proposals for five 100ft high turbines at Brightenber Hill, near Stainton Hall, about three miles from Gargrave. The council's planning officers are recommending the plans be approved, despite more than 600 letters of objection and a 720-name petition.

Zoning/Planning UK

Planners at Cannock Chase Council have had to fork out the cash for a report about the noise impact the three proposed turbines for Bleak House open cast mine site would have. The decision on the application for the site between Heath Hayes and Chase Terrace has now been delayed until next year because the noise consultants require more information from Harworth Power.

Noise Zoning/Planning UK

A wind farm will not be allowed to be built in the Vale of Belvoir, a planning inspector has ruled. The decision was announced this morning following an 11-day planning appeal in which developer Infinergy appealed against a decision by South Kesteven District Council to refuse planning permission for 10 turbines at the Thackson's Well site near Normanton and Long Bennington. Campaign group BLOT, which led local opposition to the plans, is celebrating victory.

Zoning/Planning UK

The future of a proposed wind farm is hanging in the balance after a second authority refused permission for the scheme. Developer Broadview Energy wants to build five 125m wind turbines, between Hilton and Seamer, near Yarm. The plans immediately sparked concerns including visual impact, the potential consequences on the surrounding road network and effects to wildlife.

Impact on Landscape Zoning/Planning UK

When it comes to going green, BP's policy appears to be a case of 'Beyond Britain'. The UK's pre-eminent energy company yesterday confirmed it has shelved plans to invest in wind power or carbon-capture technology in this country. Instead, BP's wind investments will be targeted on the US, where there are opportunities for greater economies of scale because of the sheer amount of empty land.

Energy Policy Zoning/Planning UK

Protesters descended on a public exhibition on Monday to vent their feelings over a proposed wind farm for Purbeck. The demonstration was organised by Dorset Against Rural Turbines (Dart) at the Springfield Hotel in Wareham as Wimborne-based firm Infinergy put its plans for the Master's Pit site at East Stoke on display.

Zoning/Planning UK

Highland councillors have been recommended to approve a power company's proposals to widen a road to accommodate vehicles transporting parts for a giant Sutherland windfarm. Scottish and Southern Energy wants to demolish and reconstruct boundary walls at the C-listed former Clyne School in Brora that it now owns, and to widen a nearby A9 junction.

Zoning/Planning UK

Campaigners against a proposed East Yorkshire wind farm have vowed to fight any appeal against a council decision to reject the development. ...Planners refused the application by eight votes to seven due to the sheer "size and scale" of the development. They also said it would have an "adverse impact" on Howden Minster. East Riding Council received 564 objections to the wind farm.

Zoning/Planning UK

A tiny rural Northumberland community could end up completely surrounded by wind farms. The hamlet of Wingates, near Rothbury, is faced with five schemes which are either at scoping or pre-application stage, all within 5km of the houses. ...Residents have formed the action group Wingates not Wind Farms (WNWF) which held its first meeting last week in association with the parish council.

Impact on People Impact on Landscape Zoning/Planning UK

The region's rural landscapes face being blighted by wind farms unless the Government develops a co-ordinated approach to renewable energy projects, it has been claimed. The criticism from two North-East MPs follows a big rise in the number of proposals for wind farms submitted to local councils. Plans for at least ten wind farms, mainly in the Tees Valley and east Durham areas, have been put forward.

Energy Policy Zoning/Planning UK

A revised application for four 100m windmills at Crook Hill, close to Watergrove Reservoir, was unanimously recommended for refusal by councillors at the town hall on Wednesday. Members of the Pennines Township expressed fears that the construction of the turbines, which would include another four across the border of Rochdale and Calderdale, would have a negative impact on the environment.

Zoning/Planning UK

Proposals to build 85 wind turbines in East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway have been rejected on safety grounds. The Scottish Government said the Kyle wind farm would have had detrimental effects on safety at Prestwick Airport and the surrounding landscape.

Impact on Landscape Zoning/Planning UK

Plans by Coronation Power to build four wind turbines on Crook Hill received a blow last night (Wednesday 23 October) as Pennines Township Councillors recommended that the Council refuse the planning application. Councillors made the recommendation to the Regulatory Committee, which meets next week. Earlier this year Coronation Power were refused permission to build a larger wind farm on Crook Hill. They publicly appealed the decision but then put in another planning application for the smaller scheme.

Zoning/Planning UK

Villagers living near the Eden Project in Cornwall have voted to fight plans for a giant wind turbine. Out of more than 150 people who attended a meeting at Tregurthy village hall on Monday night there was only one vote in favour of the scheme. ..."Over 400ft (121m) is just huge. "For a small, rural community like this to have something that large just stuck right in the middle of it, whether it's green energy or not, is just far too much."

Zoning/Planning UK

An attempt to scupper the planned Emberton wind farm has been blown out of court for a second time. Three High Court judges upheld Milton Keynes Council's decision to allow seven 125-metre turbines at Petsoe Manor Farm, despite claims by a landowner that there is not enough wind locally to justify what he considers to be a blot on the landscape.

Zoning/Planning UK