Members of the city council's plans panel east last month knocked back a bid by Banks Developments for permission to put up a 60-metre 'monitoring mast' on green belt land at Hook Moor, near Micklefield and Garforth.

But, earlier this week, it emerged that the council's chief planning officer had advised panel members they could still change their minds and approve the application.

In the event, however, members voted to stick with their original decision at a meeting on Thursday.

Their stance was greeted with relief today by the Hook Moor Wind Farm Action Group, which has spearheaded opposition to Banks's plans.

Group spokeswoman, Carolyn Walker, said: "We're obviously pleased that the panel has not chosen to alter a decision that we're convinced was correct."

* CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE HOOK MOOR WIND FARM ISSUE.

Durham-based Banks has pledged to launch an appeal.

The company wants to use data from the temporary monitoring mast to fine-tune its proposals for as many as eight propeller-style turbines, also at Hook Moor.

Each turbine would reach a height of 125 metres.

Banks says the development would generate enough energy for up to 10,000 homes without the production of environmentally-damaging greenhouse gases.

Campaigners, however, claim the site earmarked for the wind farm is unsuitable because of its proximity to people's houses.


YOUR SAY:

As residents of Aberford we are delighted at the latest rejection of the wind farm appication. Banks were incredibly confident at their initial exhibition and slightly underestimated the tenacity, feelings, knowledge and contacts of Micklefield, Aberford and the residents of surrounding areas.

Like many, we approve of a greener way of living, but to plonk these monstrosities in the middle of a village, on the edge of a motorway-causing massive distraction on a very busy part-would be dangerous.

I don't profess to be an expert, but the noise and vibration caused by these turbines has caused many well documented illnesses and severe distress to people who have been too close to them. In a conference in Lyon recently 23 out of 24 countries admitted there was a problem with noise and vibration if placed too near to private dwellings.

The UK has not yet acknowledged this! The hook moor propsal is incredibly near to many private dwellings and would be on an area of beauty also.
Keep up the fight Leeds planners! And well done to Micklefield!
Mrs G Knowles

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I don't get how people can claim to be in support of 'becoming green' when they object to a proposal like this. Its one thing to separate off your recycleable materials into your green bins every week and think you've cleared your conscience and you're being good to the environment, but for most people this is where there 'greeness' ends.

I have no problem with people objecting to windfarms and other forms of renewable energy being placed near them, if they're willing to stop using electricity. This means no lights, TV, cooking and everything else we take for granted but until we are willing to stop using all these things, some compromises have to be made.

For goodness sake, what better place to site a wind farm, than by the side of a scar on the landscape caused by our environmentally damaging gas guzlers ? I would also like to argue the point made, that the wind farm wouldn't be 'in the middle of the town' of Micklefield, its on the other side of this busy motorway which itself creates noise and vibrations which were the other ladies 2 main objections.

Everyone today has this attitude of 'not in my back garden', but if not here, in a perfect location, then where? Surely some sacrifices have to be made. I live in Micklefield and would be overjoyed to look out over these wind turbine. They may not be the prettiest of things but there again, neither are the the blotted scars we leave all over the landscape from road expansions, landfilling, quarrying, mining etc but all these things have been accepted by todays society, so why not this feature thats actually being of some great environmental benefit
Annoymous


* Click here for more stories on the Hook Moor Wind Farm issue.