Proposed new policies on the placement of wind turbines in Lincolnshire have been approved.

At its meeting, Lincolnshire County Council's Environmental Scrutiny Committee discussed the planning authority's proposals that all future developments for onshore wind energy should take set criteria into account. It states that this should include assessments of their visual, historic and natural environment impacts, along with residential amenities and related infrastructure.


Councillor Colin Davie, Chairman of the Environmental Scrutiny Committee, said: "We support renewable energy and its technologies in principle, but a common approach to analysis, assessment and policy now needs to be brought forward to protect our open skies and landscape.

"Over the last ten years Lincolnshire has seen considerable interest from wind turbine electricity generating companies in the construction of wind farms within the county and offshore. In Lincolnshire, the relatively flat landscape and big, open skies mean that the turbines are visually more dominant, individually and collectively.

"Because of the open nature of the majority of Lincolnshire's landscape, a consistent approach is therefore required to ensure that the cumulative effect of wind turbine developments and their impact on neighbouring authority areas are weighed against commonly agreed criteria."

(CD)