Wind farm protesters welcome refusal recommendation

Protesters fighting plans for a wind farm have welcomed a council's recommendation to refuse permission for the scheme.

Leicestershire County Council's cabinet has agreed to recommend Melton Borough Council refuse Ridgewind's proposals to build eight 310ft turbines at Palmer's Hollow, on the edge of Normanton, near Bottesford.

The wind farm plans are for land less than a mile away from a similar scheme by another energy company, Inginergy, at Thackson's Well, which were thrown out at a public inquiry last year.

A report to councillors said: "The scale and nature of the proposed development would result in significant harm to the historic qualities of the surrounding landscape to an unacceptable degree.

"Such harm is not outweighed by the electricity generation benefits of this scheme."

Jamie Mawer, of campaign group Belvoir Locals Opposing Turbines, said: "That is good news."

The group, which raised £50,000 to pay for legal representation at the Infinergy inquiry, is considering setting up a similar fighting fund if the Ridgewind application should go to appeal.

Ridgewind project director, Ben Moore, said: "We are disappointed they have come to this conclusion."