BARMOOR

BARMOOR APPEAL UPHELD

Sadly, the Secretary of State, John Denham, has followed the recommendations of the Planning Inspector, Ruth MacKenzie, and has upheld the Toft Hill appeal.

The Secretary of State concluded that the impacts of the Barmoor proposal did not outweigh what he regarded as its benefits:

In the case of Appeal A [Barmoor], the Secretary of State has concluded at paragraph 22 above that the relevant criteria of RSS policy 40 are met, and that the scheme complies with Key Principle (i) of PPS22. As set out at paragraph 12 above, he has also concluded that, overall, the scheme’s visual effects would be acceptable, and he has identified no unacceptable harm in terms of landscape character effects Overall in relation to Appeal A, the Secretary of State has found no material conflict with development plan policies or national policies, and he sees no reason the determine the appeal other than in accordance with the development plan.
[Ibid, Overall conclusions, 28].

Local people feel very strongly that due weight was not given by the Inspector to the cultural heritage, landscape and ecological issues presented by SOUL at the public inquiry. However, SOUL have decided that there is little prospect of success in seeking a judicial review of the decision.

SOUL will not be disbanding in the immediate future.

For more information, see the SOUL website.

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The the Secretary of State’s decision letter and the Inspector’s Report are both available for download here:
Decision Letter (16 pages, small PDF file).
Inspector’s Report (101 pages, large PDF file).

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Press coverage:
Berwick Advertiser, ‘Government dismisses two out of three wind farm proposals’, 21 January, 2010.
The Journal, ‘Two Northumberland wind farms rejected but third allowed’, 21 January, 2010.
The Journal, ‘Barmoor wind farm campaigners unhappy with Council’, 23 January, 2010.
The Journal, ‘Barmoor wind farm campaigners end long-running battle’, 10 February, 2010.