Thursday 14 April 2016

Appeal lodged against Dene Leazes Farm wind turbine decision

Towards the end of last year we reported on this site that a planning application to erect a wind turbine on land to the east of Dene Leazes Farm, between Blackhall Colliery and Hesleden, had been refused by the planning committee at county hall (please see our post dated Wednesday 2 September 2015 for background information, along with full details of our reasons for objecting to the development).

The proposed site of the wind turbine at Dene Leazes Farm, looking east from the B1281 at Hesleden toward Blackhall Colliery

We received notification this week that the applicant has now lodged an appeal with the national planning inspector against that decision.

We feel strongly that the decision made by the county council's planning committee last year was the correct one. It was made democratically by members of the planning committee having had all relevant facts, figures and opinions put before them. We also feel that the decision truly reflected the wishes of the local community who, along with us, made strong and valid representations to the planning committee objecting to the proposed development.

As part of the appeal process all representations made by members of the public and others during the planning application stage will now be passed by the council to the planning inspector based in Bristol. 

However, even though this information will give the inspector a clear indication of local opposition to this development, we feel it is vital that as many people as possible again contact the inspector as part of the appeal process to let him or her know of any additional or new information which would reinforce the strength of public opinion in support of the council's decision to refuse consent for a wind turbine at this location.

Everyone who made representations as part of the planning application process will be notified of the appeal, and will also receive information about the appeal process and details of how to make their additional representations. However, just to be sure, we have published this information below:

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended)
SECTION 78 – NOTIFICATION OF PLANNING APPEAL


Application reference:               CE/13/01502/FPA
Appeal reference:                       APP/X1355/W/16/3146228
Name of appellant:                     Eden Farm Ltd
Site:                                             Land East Of Dene Leazes Farm Hesleden Durham TS27 4PD
Proposed development:            Erection of wind turbine (500kw), 50.9m to hub and 77.9m to tip. Installation of associated equipment and infrastructure including access track
Appeal Start Date:                      8 April 2016

The Local Planning Authority has received notification that the above named appellant has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the Local Planning Authority’s decision to refuse planning permission.

The appellant has requested that the appeal be dealt with by the  written representations procedure. 

Any representations previously made to the Local Planning Authority prior to the planning application being decided, other than representations which the maker has asked to be treated as confidential, will be sent to the Inspectorate and the appellant. These representations will be considered by the Inspector when determining the appeal unless, within 28 days of the starting date, the authority or person who made the representations asks the Inspector to disregard them.

Any new representations that you would like to make in relation to this appeal should be made online via https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ or in writing, quoting the appeal reference above, and forwarded directly to the Planning Inspectorate at the address given below.

Representations should be received by the Inspectorate within 5 weeks of the ‘Appeal Start Date’ given above. If responding in writing it is important that 3 copies of your representations are sent to the Inspectorate.  Any representations received after the deadline will not normally be seen by the Inspector and will be returned.

The Planning Inspectorate will not acknowledge representations but will ensure that letters received by the deadline are passed to the Inspector dealing with the appeal.

The Planning Inspectorate
3/01B
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6PN

The appeal documents are available for viewing online at http://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/ or at the appropriate Area Planning Office between the hours below:-

Monday – Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm and
Friday -                       8.30am – 4.30pm

For further advice on taking part in the appeal process you may be interested in obtaining a copy of one of the Planning Inspectorate’s booklets available on-line at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/taking-part-in-a-planning-listed-building-or-enforcement-appeal or by contacting the case officer listed above.   

The decision will be published on https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/.