Clacton, St Osyth: Wind farm bid blown away (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Clacton, St Osyth: Wind farm bid blown away

10:39pm Thursday 19th June 2008

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CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after hearing Essex's first onshore wind farm will not be built on the outskirts of Clacton.

Tendring Council's development control committee last night refused plans for five turbins at Earls Hall Farm, between Clacton and St Osyth.

Members voted unanimously against the plans.

They decided site is not suitable for the 410ft structures - which are more than twice the height of Nelson's Column.

Every speech - including an impassioned plea by David Harrington who has led the fight for campaign group South Tendring Acting to Protect our Local Environment (Staple) - was greeted by rowdy cheers and applause.

It prompted committee chairman Gary Scott to ask them to keep the noise down - but his call was met with jeers.

N-power's Representative Cath Stephenson got the same treatment.

Officers outlined why they thought the plans should be approved.

But after a 2hr 9mins debate, councillors voted 17-0 in favour of refusal.

The proposed site is less than a mile from Clacton's Bockings Elm estate and less than 1 1/2 miles from homes in St Osyth.

Councillors said the potential for noise and visual impact was too great a risk.

They also wanted more information about the "ice shard" affect - potentially dangerous blocks off ice being thrown from the rotating blades.

N-power Renewables' could appeal to the Government's planning inspectorate.

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