Client: Derbyshire Dales District Council
Location: Matlock, Derbyshire

Michelle Bolger of Liz Lake Associates was appointed by Derbyshire Dales District Council following an appeal by West Coast Energy against the non determination of an application for a development consisting of five wind turbines on Matlock Moor, outside Matlock. Initially appointed to make an assessment of the landscape, visual and historic environment issues for the planning committee, Michelle was then asked to give expert evidence at the subsequent inquiry.

With her considerable experience of wind turbine applications, Michelle concluded that the proposals would have a significant impact on the Peak District National Park, the boundary of which lay close to the proposed site. A wind turbine development at Carsington Pastures, a similar distance from the National Park, had been granted on appeal in 2008. A subsequent appeal to the High Court had failed and it was feared that a precedent might have been set for wind energy developments close to the Park boundary. Michelle organised the commissioning of new photomontages from Architech, a specialist computer visualisation company, to illustrate her evidence. The appeal was heard in February 2010.

The Inspector's decision was issued April 2010 and the appeal was dismissed. The Inspector agreed with Michelle's assessment of the impact on the National Park, that the proposed scheme would diminish the unique sense of openness and remoteness on Stanton Moor and also diminish the wildness and remoteness of Beeley Moor. In addition she agreed that there would be significant adverse impacts on landscapes outside the Park on a number of heritage assets and on the living conditions of the closest residents. Other reasons for the dismissal were issues raised by the ecological and noise assessments.

The decision can be downloaded here.

• Click to enlarge Click to enlarge
• Click to enlarge Click to enlarge
• Click to enlarge Click to enlarge
• Click to enlarge Click to enlarge