Council joins National Trust and English Heritage in challenging wind turbine permission

A local authority has teamed up with the National Trust and English Heritage to challenge the grant of planning permission for a wind farm that would be built within one mile of a Grade I listed building.

East Northamptonshire Council had initially refused permission for the construction of four 126.5m wind turbines built within the setting of the Lyveden New Bield site, which also has a registered park and garden.

But a Planning Inspector gave consent for the development on appeal last month.

The three organisations began legal proceedings earlier this week under s. 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. It is the first time East Northamptonshire Council has taken a case to this level.

The claimants argued that the turbines would be “prominent, modern, instrusive structures in a landscape that still evokes the character of Lyveden New Bield’s historic Rockingham Forest surroundings”.

Cllr Steven North, Leader of the local authority, said: “East Northamptonshire Council is committed to the use of renewable energy sources wherever it is practicable but not to the detriment of the historic landscape. 

“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.”




Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, 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.

“It is because of the threat this decision poses to the setting of all our valued historic sites that we, along with English Heritage and the local council, have taken the significant step of making an appeal to the Administrative Court.”



Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said the organisation was extremely disappointed by the Inspector's decision.

“Our challenge to his decision is not simply about the balance of professional judgement between heritage and renewable energy,” he added. “The Inspector did not adequately take into account the contribution that Lyveden New Bield’s historic and rural surroundings make to its immense significance. 

“In our view, therefore, he failed to have 'special regard' for the desirability of preserving the special interest of the listed building and its setting which the law requires of him as decision-maker in this case. This decision is highly unusual and must not be allowed to become the benchmark for future wind-energy developments."