Community Windpower Ltd have withdrawn their appeal against the council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a 20 turbine wind farm development on land at Claughton Moor – but a similar proposal, but with less turbines, is still on the table.

Lancaster City Council’s Planning Committee voted to refuse planning permission for the turbines in March 2010 on the grounds of the impact on the landscape and biodiversity in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The plans had met with widespread local opposition.

The Planning Inspectorate, the government service that deals with planning appeals, was due to hold a public inquiry in May to determine the appeal but this has now been cancelled.

As we previously reported, Community Windpower  submitted a second application in November 2010 reduce the company’s original proposals from 20 to 13 126 metre wind turbines and include a new Environmental Management Plan and community benefits package for the local area the company hopes will persuade the Council to accept the revised proposal.

 That application is still being considered by the council’s planning department.

• Details of this application can be viewed on the council’s Public Access web site, http://planning.lancaster.gov.uk  by searching for application number 10/01151/FUL.