Joint legal challenge to wind farm plans

The National Trust, English Heritage and East Northamptonshire Council (EHC) have hit back at plans for a wind farm to be built near a Grade-1 listed site in Northamptonshire.


A joint legal challenge against planning permission for four 126.5MW wind turbines to be built within one mile of Lyveden New Bield was submitted by the trio on April 23 under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The National Trust said that while it supports the use of renewable energy (including several previous wind proposals) and has made a commitment to halve its dependence on fossil fuels by 2020, it considers the setting and scale for the Lyveden New Bield is not appropriate.

National Trust director-general Fiona Reynolds, said: “The decision to allow a development of this size so close to one of the country’s most treasured historic places is both damaging to Lyveden New Bield and could have serious implications for other heritage sites across the UK.”

East Northamptonshire Council leader Steven North added: “It is regrettable that it has come to this, but we fully support this legal challenge and will be working closely with the National Trust and English Heritage to protect this heritage site.”

Carys Matthews

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