New consultation starts on Hemswell Cliff wind farm

West Lindsey District Council agreed to allow the developers RWE Npower Renewables extra time to provide more information in response to comments received on the initial application.

The application is for 10 turbines, each with a maximum height of 126.5 metres.

It also includes a permanent and temporary mast, substation and control building, temporary construction compound and the construction of underground electrical cabling.

There would be new access tracks and the upgrading of existing access tracks as well as site access points from the A15 and Middle Street for 25 years.

The additional work has been submitted and includes bird surveys, further archaeological investigations, noise surveys, more detailed environmental impact and ecology reports and more images of what the turbines would look like.

Coun Chris Underwood-Frost, chairman of the planning committee at the district council, said: “This planning application is classed as a ‘major’ development and as such could have a big impact on the district.”

“We’d encourage everyone with an interest to view the revised plans and take this opportunity to give feedback.”

RWE Npower Renewables want to build the farm on land at Hemswell Cliff 13km from Gainsborough.

If built, it would generate up to 25 megawatts of electricity - enough to meet the average annual consumption of 11,600 homes.

But there has been widespread local opposition to the plans, with residents fearful that the turbines would be visible for miles around and destroy the countryside.

Gainsborough MP and long-time critic of wind farms Sir Edward Leigh has also urged all local residents to make their voices heard.

“I am entirely against the proposed wind farm at Hemswell Cliff and I strongly encourage all local people to make their views known by writing to the council,” he said.

“We need to make sure our voice is heard so that we can prevent these monstrosities from being approved.”

The revised plans can be viewed during opening hours at West Lindsey District Council’s offices a the Guildhall, in Marshall’s Yard.

The application (reference 128940) and plans can also be viewed online at www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/planning.

The consultation will close on 22nd July.