The company, Renewable Energy Systems (RES), which wants to place the nine giant turbines on the site in Rectory Road, Roos, has appealed and an inquiry is [...]]]> Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, is to give evidence at a Planning Inquiry being held after a proposed wind farm at Roos was turned down by councillors.

The company, Renewable Energy Systems (RES), which wants to place the nine giant turbines on the site in Rectory Road, Roos, has appealed and an inquiry is now being held at County Hall in Beverley.

 Graham said: “I have been contacted by many constituents opposed to this wind farm application.

 “While I fully understand and appreciate the need for renewable energy sources, I cannot agree with the heavy handed way these plans are being forced on the people who live in Holderness.”

 Graham will argue at the inquiry on Friday morning that the Roos plan is a ‘wind farm too far’ as – if approved – it will have a major visual impact on the area.

 He said: “The East Riding has already met its 2020 target for renewable energy and should not have more wind farms forced on it if they are inappropriately sited and will blight landscapes.

 “The people of this area are more than reasonable and are happy to do their bit for the national interest. That’s why it is so wrong that companies are barely consulting locally but spending fortunes on lawyers to drive through decisions on appeal.”

 And he added: “The key principle is that local people, not some government inspector, should decide what happens in their area. The Conservatives will revolutionise planning so that far more of the power rests locally rather than with ministers and their inspectors. Additionally I have pushed for Conservative policy on wind farms to include an accumulation test so that areas, like Holderness, can’t be overwhelmed by successive windfarms in the way that happens now under Labour.

 “East Riding Council has fought and lost all five planning appeals so far. I will be protesting to the Inspector at the impact of this latest appeal but, whatever the outcome on this occasion, it’s clear we need a change of government if local views are to be respected. Current rules show no respect for the wishes of the people who have to live with wind farms for decades thereafter and that must change.” 

Graham is due to appear before the Planning Inspector, Wendy Burden, at 9.30am on Friday March 12.

The Conservatives’ Shadow Local Government Minister has told Holderness protestors he will change the rules to give local people more say on planning applications such as wind farms.

 Bob Neill MP came to the area at the invitation of Graham Stuart MP in response to complaints from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council [...]]]>

Bob Neill MP

The Conservatives’ Shadow Local Government Minister has told Holderness protestors he will change the rules to give local people more say on planning applications such as wind farms.

 Bob Neill MP came to the area at the invitation of Graham Stuart MP in response to complaints from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and local people that the powers of decision have been removed from local people by the  Government.

Graham said: “I am delighted Bob was able to come to Beverley and Holderness and hear for himself the concerns of both the East Riding Council and residents who fear they are being railroaded by the government when it comes to wind farm applications.

 “Wind farms are a necessary part of our energy strategy but applications must be decided locally not in Bristol or Westminster. 

 “It’s sadly typical of our current government that they think the only way to promote something is to force it on people. The East Riding has already met its 2020 target for renewable energy and should not have more wind farms forced on it if they are inappropriately sited and will blight landscapes.

 “The people of this area are more than reasonable and are happy to do their bit for the national interest. That’s why it is so wrong that companies are barely consulting locally but spending fortunes on lawyers to drive through decisions on appeal.”

 Bob said: “If the next government is led by the Conservatives we will be making some very significant revisions to planning policy.

 “We will make it harder for developers to appeal against properly made local decisions and give power and control back to local communities.

 “Following my visit I will look at how we might change the rules on community benefits from developments such as wind farms so that, where they do go ahead, there is a clear gain for local people.

 “We need to get the balance right so that developments can proceed but with local support not local opposition.”

 Graham and Bob met with Cllr Steve Parnaby, leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and councillors Symon Fraser and Matthew Grove.

 They then met with ward councillors Richard Stead and Matthew Grove and wind farm campaigners Dr Brian Wells, Cherie Blenkin and Jackie Cracknell.

He has also called for a debate in Parliament after the Government ignored the wishes of both residents and the East Riding Council by allowing wind farms at Routh and Withernwick, [...]]]> Beverley and Holderness MP, Graham Stuart, has thrown his weight behind plans to give residents facing wind turbines being built on their doorstep more say.

He has also called for a debate in Parliament after the Government ignored the wishes of both residents and the East Riding Council by allowing wind farms at Routh and Withernwick, near Hornsea, to go ahead on appeal.

Graham said: “What we have seen recently appears to be an abandonment of the normal democratic planning process, with the Government routinely riding roughshod over local opinion and democratically elected councillors. This is quite wrong and I am seeking a parliamentary debate to confront Ministers and demand change.”

In July this year, the Conservative Party will be publishing a Planning Green Paper which will call for earlier consultation between wind farm developers and local people as well as strengthening local authorities’ control of applications.

Graham said he wanted Government to encourage the development of cleaner energy sources so long as they were affordable and were sited in acceptable locations with the agreement of local people.

He said: “I do not, however, believe that Holderness should become a dumping ground for wind farms simply because of its topography and because this Government sees them as the quickest and cheapest way to meet its European renewable energy quotas.

“If the Government wants to ignore all local opinion and override every decision of democratically elected councillors then it should say so. Why should campaigners and councillors waste their time at meetings if what they think is never taken into account?

“I welcome the proposal for the Humber Gateway wind farm put forward by E.ON. It will be eight kilometres off the coast, be built on a large scale and produce enough electricity for 195,000 homes. We are more than doing our bit in this area and don’t wish to be bullied by Government into destroying our local environment with ever more onshore wind farms.”

Graham said: “Labour’s record on developing renewable energy has been woeful. Only Luxemburg and Malta have lower percentages of their energy mix from clean sources. They have failed to invest in tide and wave energy which we have in abundance and are now panicking and trying to force inefficient and expensive wind farms on communities that don’t want them. We need long term thinking which works with local people not against them. The sooner we have a General Election the better for Holderness and the country.”