ON October 28 the Darrington wind farm appeal process finally concluded.
After a long and somewhat draining 16 days, Mr Richards, the Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group's barrister, made his final submission.
He stated that after the original application had been unanimously rejected by Wakefield Council's planning department, the list of those opposed to the project had continued to grow.
No less than seven parish council have declared their oppositio
n to the proposed development. West Park Residents Group was, like Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group, formed specifically to oppose the proposed development.
The British Horse Society, South Pontefract Forward Group, Carleton and Darrington school governors and Wentbridge House Hotel have all declared their opposition. Selby District Council has objected and both the local Labour and Conservative groups have declared their objections.
Our MP has stated that the proposed development is inappropriate in the proposed location; even the Green Party has lodged an objection.
Over 2,000 letters from people opposed to the development have been received; in short it would seem difficult to find any local individual or organisation that is prepared to support this proposal.
Mr Robinson, the inspector, can have been left in no doubt what local people and organisations feel.
He must now deliberate and make his recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will announce a decision next spring.
If that decision is anything other than to reject the proposed wind farm on Westfield Lane, then we must ask ourselves, what has the whole process been for?
If one man in London is prepared to overrule almost three years of local deliberation, what price democracy?
MICHAEL BRITTON
Chairman
Darrington Parish Council
