Controversial plans for a wind farm at Silton have been refused by the Planning Inspectorate - while a local MP has called the decision 'a victory for localism.'
Developer Ecotricity wanted to build four industrial wind turbines in North Dorset. After the plans were rejected by North Dorset District Council, an appeal was lodged with the Planning Inspectorate which this AONB's Planning and Landscape Advisor Richard Burden has spent many months commenting on - has been officially turned down, which is more than a minor victory for this AONB and groups such as Save Our Silton.
The Inspector concluded that the economic and environmental benefits of the wind turbines would not out weigh the harm to the character and appearance of the area and the setting of the AONB, and that they would fail to preserve the setting of the listed farmhouse and barn at Manor Farm as well as the setting of Silton House and the Church of St Nicholas.
On a community matter, the Inspector gave considerable weight the Bourton Village Design Statement; which indicates that local communities should press on with their local VDSs and get them adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.
