Major wind farm plan rejected

The government has rejected plans for one of the biggest onshore wind farms proposed in England which would have seen 27 turbines, each 377-foot tall, erected close to two National Parks.

The turbines were proposed for a nine-hectare site at Whinash, stretching between the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks and close to the M6 motorway.

Although supported by some green groups the project, proposed by Chalmerston Wind Power and the Renewable Development Company, was fiercely opposed by the Council for National Parks, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and English Nature, the government's wildlife adviser.

The scheme was considered at a planning inquiry last year. Energy minister Malcolm Wicks agreed with the inspector that the impact on the landscape and recreation did not outweigh the benefits of reducing carbon emissions.

In a related development, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has rejected plans for a seven-turbine wind farm on Saddleworth Moor above the village of Denshaw.

The project was proposed by Eon UK but generated considerable local and national opposition.

Roger Milne

3 March 2006