May 1, 2014 4.39 pm This story is over 117 months old

Firm appeals over Hemswell Cliff wind farm rejection

Fewer turbines: The firm which was denied planning permission for a wind farm at Hemswell Cliff near Lincoln has launched an appeal.

The firm which was denied planning permission for a wind farm at Hemswell Cliff near Lincoln has launched an appeal.

RWE Innogy Ltd submitted the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate after its proposal for a wind farm was unanimously rejected by West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee last year.

The proposals asked for permission to build 10 turbines and ancillary infrastructure at Hemswell Cliff to generate 20 to 25 megawatt (MW), enough to meet demands of 11,600 homes each year.

The maximum blade tip height would have been 126.5m, with turbines placed across agricultural fields between A15 (Ermine Street) and B1398 (Middle Street).

This was refused by the council’s planning committee at a special meeting in the Epic Centre in October 2013.

RWE has requested the appeal be heard through a public inquiry, held later this year.

Members of the public, who were also opposed to the plans in the past, will get five weeks to make comments to the Planning Inspectorate once the appeal is valid and the process begins.

RWE has also submitted a revised wind farm scheme for the site to be considered through the appeal process, as a formal alternative to the original.

Instead, RWE proposes eight wind turbines, and the temporary construction compound relocated.

RWE will also consult the public on the new plans, giving locals 21 days to respond. Comments will be passed to the Planning Inspectorate for a final decision.