Windfarm appeal lost

A Planning Inspector has upheld a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council to refuse planning permission for the development of five windturbines near Rhoscrowther. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The appeal by Rhoscrowther Wind Farm Ltd was dismissed by Inspector Alwyn B Nixon because it would harm “the landscape and visual effects of the proposed development, having particular regard to its effect on the nearby Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Nixon also suggested it would affect the settings of heritage assets in the area and questioned whether “any resulting harm in terms of these or other matters is outweighed by the benefits of the proposal, including its contribution to energy generation from renewable sources and combating the effects of climate change.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rhoscrowther Wind Farm Ltd proposed to construct and operate five wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 100m together with ancillary development comprising substation, control building, new and upgraded access points, access tracks, hardstanding and temporary construction compound and associated works. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Their application was refused by Pembrokeshire County Council on January 21st 2015 and they appealed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In dismissing the appeal, Inspector Hall said that although he acknowledged the socio-economic benefits that would derive from the scheme and the delivery of electrical power equivalent to the consumption of about 7000 homes from a low carbon, renewable source, he concluded that “the proposal would fail to satisfy LDP policy GN.4, as the objective of delivering renewable energy developments through environmentally acceptable solutions would not be achieved.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added: “It would not accord with the objective embedded in policy SP 16 of protecting the landscape and natural and built environment of Pembrokeshire and adjoining areas.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mr Nixon concluded his report by saying he had taken all considerations into account (including the views of those for and against the proposal), “but do not find anything of such weight as to disturb my overall conclusion.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​