RELIEF AS WINDFARM PLAN IS WITHDRAWN

A CHANGE in Government policy appears to have scuppered plans for a wind farm of up to six turbines to be developed at a sensitive birdlife site off the A52 road between Skegness and Wainfleet.

Truro-based REG Windpower Ltd had pinned its hopes on securing the  backing of East Lindsey District Council for its controversial proposal on land adjacent to Coddingtons Yard off Croft Bank.

But the firm has decided to pull the plug on the project - at least for the time being - following the announcement that henceforth Whitehall is to pay greater heed than in the past  to local objections.

Subsidies are also due to be reduced for wind farm ventures.

A terse note to East Lindsey councillors - submitted in advance of the planning meeting last Thursday, when the application was due to be discussed - stated: “This application has now been withdrawn in the light of recent changes to onshore wind planning in England.”

The withdrawal will delight not just the scores of local objectors  but also  groups such as Natural England, The RSPB and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust which had variously expressed misgivings about the potential impact on bats and birds.

The site is favoured, particularly in winter, by uncommon species of wild swans, geese, ducks and waders. Marsh harriers also frequent the area.

There had been a worry that the wind farm would have both undermined attempts to encourage a breeding return for lapwings and posed a collision hazard for nighttime migrants, including geese.

The link to the RSPB’s comments on the proposal is: 
http://publicaccess.e-lindsey.gov.uk/online-applications/files/155698B1FD377F801324B3FFB3ACDDD8/pdf/S_039_01184_12-RSPCA_COMMENTS-3856141.pdf