Derbyshire’s first wind farm has been given the green light by the High Court in a controversial landmark ruling.
The proposed wind farm, which comprises four turbines of 125m to blade tip, will be sited 2km from the boundary of the Peak District National Park, overlooking Carsington Reservoir.
The original planning application was turned down by Derbyshire Dales District Council planning committee, which then launched a joint appeal with the Peak District National Park Authority when the plans were sent to the High Court.
In a historic judgement, Lord Justice Carnwath ruled the erection of the turbines could begin in the beauty spot at Carsington Pastures, but protestors claim there are several better-suited sites for the turbines.
Cllr Lewis Rose, Derbyshire Dales District Council leader, said: "I am very disappointed with the decision. The District Council has never questioned the desirability or need to promote renewable energy sources, however, there is a clear need to undertake a balanced assessment of such proposals.
"Unless developers are required to consider alternative sites which may have less impact, such a balanced judgement cannot be reached".
An inspection of the application concluded the turbines would not harm the special characteristics of the Park or the reasons for its designation. The judge also rejected the contention of the local planning authority that the wind farm would be materially harmful to tourism and recreation interests. He concluded that the limited visual impact of the turbines was outweighed by the pressing national need for renewable energy.
However, Councillor Hilda Gaddum, chairman of the Peak District National Park Authority’s planning committee, said: “We made this joint appeal because it is our duty to fight threats to the national park landscape.
“We are disappointed with the judgement as we feel it is important that alternative sites are always considered first before making a decision to locate a wind farm 1.5 miles from a national park boundary.
“The authority has approved a micro hydro power site at Alport Mill, solar panels and individual wind turbines in appropriate locations within the national park, and will continue to support measures to provide more renewable energy.
"However, applications must also continue to be judged against the need to protect the natural beauty of the Peak District National Park landscape.
“We need to spend time reading the judgement in detail to fully understand the implications for the future.”
Carsington and Hopton Council was also disappointed with the news. A spokesperson said: “The Carsington and Hopton Parish Council and the vast majority of parishioners support the concept of wind energy. We are, however, unable to support the proposed development due to the insensitive and inappropriate nature of the exact site selected.”
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