High Court dismisses council’s windy complaint

The High Court has dismissed Milton Keynes Council’s attempt to restrict where wind farms can be built in the borough. Yesterday it was reported the court ruled the way the […]

The High Court has dismissed Milton Keynes Council’s attempt to restrict where wind farms can be built in the borough.

Yesterday it was reported the court ruled the way the council imposed fixed distances for between turbines and dwellings was introduced incorrectly.

The court ruled that as the council already has separation distances in existing rules – from residential properties of at least 350 metres – the judge found its concern about npower’s wind turbine was contradictory, said the council in a statement.

Renewable energy backers breathed a sigh of relief at the ruling for the certainty it gives wind energy firms.

Trade body RenewableUK said it strongly believes it is “inappropriate” for councils to impose “arbitrary limits” on where renewable energy projects should be located.

RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith said: “Blanket bans and buffer zones are blunt instruments which take no account of local conditions. Each proposal should be examined on a case by case basis so that a well-balanced decision can be reached. As two-thirds of the British public consistently support wind energy, their views should be given due weight in the democratic process”.

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