THREE more wind turbines between Tetney and North Thoresby would destroy the beauty of the view of the Lincolnshire coast, planners agreed.
Planners overwhelmingly rejected plans by Partnership for Renewables (Louth Canal) Limited for three turbines, measuring more than 110 metres high, at Fen Lane, North Thoresby, to protect the rural landscape.
Members of East Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee said they would create a "wind turbine alley" and spoil an area of special scientific interest.
Paul Newman, of Tetney, a campaigner against turbines, addressing the Planning Committee meeting at Tedder Hall, Manby, said: "We are proud of what we have and wish to preserve it.
"These wind turbines don't have to go into areas of outstanding natural beauty, in conservation areas or rural and coastal landscapes."
He said turbines in other parts of the UK had caused a 25 per cent reduction in the value of nearby properties.
Committee members laughed when they were told the load for construction would be so long it could not turn left from the A16 at North Thoresby for fear of colliding with the Halfway House pub restaurant.
The route proposed was south to Fotherby and to loop back, using the old route of the A16, rejoining the A16 northbound and turning right at the crossroads into North Thoresby.
A report from English Heritage said the turbines would harm the significance of nearby churches, including St Peter and St Paul, in Tetney, and St Nicholas, in North Cotes.
Fulstow resident Nicola Pike said the turbines would be higher than St James' Church spire in Louth.
Submitting an objection, she said: "There are already plans for another 13 turbines at Bishopthorpe and Tetney, five at Grimoldby and others in the south of the county.
"With a massive offshore wind turbine field being developed just off our coast, are these land-based turbines necessary so close to our communities?"
Councillor Edward Mossop (Ind, Marshchapel) said: "It is the cumulative impact of the turbines which I cannot accept. We are beginning to get them in every vector of vision."
Councillor Hazel Newcombe (Ind, Chapel St Leonards) quoted the Joni Mitchell song from 1970, Big Yellow Taxi, saying: "You don't know what you have got 'til it's gone."
Councillors were greeted at Tedder Hall by campaigners with banners supporting the application. There were 600 letters of support. There were also about 20 objectors there.
After the meeting, campaigner for Marsh Windfarm Action Group (MWAG), Melvin Grosvenor, said: "We are very pleased with the decision. It is the right decision and we continue to work with the local community to protect what we value. This was the wrong technology in the wrong place."
A spokesperson for Partnership For Renewables, Colm Ryan, said he was disappointed in the decision and an appeal against it would now be considered.
Editor's Comment A VICTORY for the campaigners yesterday as councillors ruled to reject the latest application for wind turbines near the Louth canal. The bid to erect three was fiercely opposed by local residents, who were adamant that, if allowed, it would be a blot on the landscape of rural Lincolnshire. They may have a point and clearly they are happy with the outcome...but hang on a minute – what about the 20 or so near Conisholme, the single turbine near Yarborough and the two near Tetney Lock? There are other plans in the pipeline too – what stance will be taken on those? Is this one rejection the start of a new thinking on the siting of the turbines, or could it be just a one-off? It would appear, from the outside looking in, that there is a lack of any common policy or thinking on such applications. If that did exist, surely that would avoid any confusion or wasted time and money in the future. *What do you feel about the issues surrounding renewable energy or on-shore wind turbines? Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor
