Appeal submitted against Hook Moor wind farm refusal

Wednesday 03 February 2010

The firm behind plans for a wind farm at Micklefield, near Garforth to the east of Leeds, which would provide enough renewable energy to power more than 8,000 homes, has submitted an appeal against their refusal by Leeds City Council.

Banks Developments put forward proposals for the five-turbine Hook Moor scheme in 2008, but they were rejected by the Council last year after an objection was raised by the Ministry of Defence concerning the scheme’s potential impact on its operational capacity in the area.

Since then, discussions between Banks and the MoD have continued, with a view to finding a resolution to the relevant issues.

The proposed site for the development, which would be the first of its type in the Leeds metropolitan area, lies on undulating agricultural land near the junction of the M1 and A1.

Rob Williams, renewablesprojects director at Banks Developments, says: “The Wind Industry and Aviation Stakeholders have taken great steps over the last 12 months towards finding solutions to allow wind farms to coexist with existing aviation uses, and we are hopeful that solutions can be found to alleviate the MoD’s concerns before an expensive inquiry commences.

“This scheme’s location, in a gateway area next to the motorways and in an area that does not yet have any renewable energy generation, would make it especially important, and it would play a key role in enabling Leeds City Council to meet its immediate and future renewables obligations.”

The appeal is expected to be heard before the end of the year.

Last updated: Wednesday 03 February 2010, 16:33 PM