Planning consent for RWE Innogy’s East Heslerton Windfarm in North Yorkshire has been refused, making it the eleventh of thirteen planned onshore wind developments rejected by Pickles.
This decision went against the recommendation made by the planning inspector in a public inquiry in November 2013.
Dr Connie Weaver, RWE Innogy’s UK developer for East Heslerton, said: “This now creates significant delays for this project and may even prevent £23 million over the lifetime of the project being invested in local contracts and a further £100,000 investment in local community projects each year.”
In his determination, Pickles said the planning appeal for the 10 turbine windfarm was dismissed because of the “high magnitude of change and the moderate adverse effect on the highly valued Wolds landscape”.
A “significant weight on the harm to public enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park” was also cited as a reason for rejecting the planning appeal.
The rejection of the project followed comments from Lord Deben, chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, that the UK has already granted planning permission to enough windfarms to meet the 2020 climate change targets.
Mike Parker, head of onshore wind at RWE Innogy UK said Lord Deben’s statement, alongside the rejection of the East Heslerton planning application, was “undoubtedly concerning”.
He added: “Such actions will, in the end, kill any future development, investment and growth in what is one of the few growth industries within the UK.”