As previously mentioned, due to a new planning policy, written submissions have had to be shared between parties.  Wesuspect that because the Council's and developer's historical experts' submissions are poles apart, a further day's sitting at the Inquiry will be required.  We should hear in a few days and will let you know if and when a date is set.

The second site visit took place on 7th April.  The weather was good enough to fly the blimp and we drove the Inspectors around the site again.  This time we were able to show them where the developer's evidence left a lot to be desired.  The Inspectors saw St. Mary's spire clearly from Harlaxton, despite the misty rain, which contradicted Ridgewind's historical expert's evidence.  We visited both Easthorpe and Muston this time to look at the effect wind turbines would have on these villages and their conservation areas.

Procedural issues took up the first hour.  Closing submissions are likely to be dealt with in writing to prevent meeting again.  New government policy PPS5, which replaces guidance, cited in historical evidence, will have to be visited by all parties and comments shared.  If any disagreements arise the Inquiry may have to sit again to hear historical/planning experts' evidence.  Our QC would need to return again.  We should hear by 12th April about this.  If all goes smoothly regarding the above and no further day is required, the Inquiry should close formally on 29th April with a decision at the end of May.

Alan Duncan, Rutland and Melton MP, spoke well against the proposal.  We then heard the Council's, BLOT'S and the developer's planning experts.  The developer gained nothing from these sessions.  They did not call BLOT's Jamie Mawer again preferring to leave it to a written statement regarding where they and we agree and disagree.  Our QC however had the opportunity to question the developer's planner about access to the site for the abnormal loads.  The Inspectors have been left in no doubt that this issue remains unresolved.  The vehicle the developer intends to use through Long Bennington does not exist in the UK.  The developers have agreed that there will be many more HGV's accessing the site via Skerry Lane and the dangerous A52.  They revisited their figures after we suggested that these were in fact double what they had originally claimed and on which they had consulted Leicestershire Highways!

The site visit for Wednesday this week has been cancelled due to the terrible weather forecast.  We are now aiming to do it next Wednesday, 7th April.

Our supporters were there again in force.  It was great to see so many of you day after day.  Thank you and once again thank you to all of you who have donated so generously.

BLOT's last two witnesses gave evidence.  Two issues have not been resolved by the developers, namely transporting the blades through Long Bennington and Normanton and the number of lorries they need to transport the aggregate to the site.  Jamie Mawer, who had done hours of work regarding these issues, gave evidence for one and a half hours.  Locals have not been consulted regarding the transportation of the blades through villages and the developer tried to bring new information to the appeal.  It is incredible they are being allowed to do this, considering they went to appeal for non-determination.  They were obviously not ready.  BLOT is not impressed.  RidgeWind's sums are incorrect.  The estimation of the lorries required to travel on the A52 are underestimated by at least a half.  Leicestershire Highways have made their formal comments regarding road safety on this incorrect information as the locals would have to as well.  We expect to have more information regarding these two issues a week before the restart.

In fact, while writing this diary, a report in the Grantham Journal highlights a study undertaken by the Road Safety Foundation.  This study has found the A52 between Grantham and Bingham to be one of the most dangerous roads in England.

It has been wonderful that so many of the public attended the inquiry.  Most of them were BLOT's supporters.  THANK YOU for attending.  We hope to see you on 29th and 30th March.

Thursday, 18th February

Noise was debated.  BLOT had two witnesses, including Jane Davis from Deeping St. Nicholas and the developer had one.  BLOT locals filled the day.

It was another slow few days and the well organised programme had not been adhered to.  It was therefore agreed to postpone all the planning witnesses until the end of March when we had agreed to reconvene to hear closing speeches.  The appeal will restart on Monday, 29th March at 0930 for two days at Bottesford Village Hall.  We had hoped to have a decision by then but that is now put back by at least five weeks. 

Tuesday, 16th and Wednesday, 17th February

BLOT's landscape expert gave evidence followed by RidgeWind's.  Our witness was unruffled by the cross questioning.  RidgeWind's seemed less calm.

The public had their chance to air their views on Wednesday and the people speaking against the proposal were fantastic.

Professor Twiddell, who spoke at the Development Control meeting last August for the proposal, turned up again and talked about climate change and what he thought planning guidelines and policies should allow.  He was cross questioned at length and rather ferociously by the Council's barrister - one of the few entertaining bits of the appeal!  Perhaps he will think twice about turning up at appeals and Development Control meetings discussing turbines that do not affect his home.  He lives near Market Harborough!

RidgeWind's lawyer made a public apology to Long Bennington regarding the lack of consultation on transport through their village.

BLOT's local witnesses continued to fill in the gaps!

Friday, 12th February

The Council and BLOT's barristers finally finished cross questioning RidgeWind's historical expert witness at 1430 this afternoon.  The Inspector asked her questions to clarify a few points and the session finished at 1500.  It will restart at 0930 next Tuesday.  The following is likely to be the schedule for next week, although changes may be made at the last minute:   (It does seem too much for four days and a third week is looking more and more likely.)

Tuesday, 16th February:  Landscape - expert witnesses, Mark Steele (BLOT), Kay Hawkins (RidgeWind)

Wednesday, 17th February:  Overflow from Tuesday, BLOT's local witnesses, 3rd Parties not in BLOT

Thursday, 18th February:  Noise - expert witnesses, Jane Davis (BLOT), Dick Bowdler (BLOT), Andy Mackenzie (RidgeWind); Planning - expert witness, Jim Worley (Melton Borough Council)

Friday, 19th February:  Planning - expert witnesses, Mike Sibthorpe (BLOT), Peter Newlands (RidgeWind)

Two members of the public have put in late requests to speak for the proposal, one local and the other from near Market Harborough.  The latter spoke at the planning meeting last August about climate change and the need for renewable energy generally.

BLOT have been heartened by the number of people who have come to listen and encourage any one else who has a few hours to spare to come.  If everything goes to plan, we should be in action next week as we have three experts presenting evidence.  Our slot will include other issues like transport, public opinion, benefits, residential amenity and the public rights of way.

Thursday, 11th February

The appellant's advocate finished cross examining the Council's heritage witness this morning.  The Inspector then asked him lots of questions to clarify certain aspect of his evidence.  The appellant's historical witness gave her evidence this afternoon and cross questioning started at 1630.  The Council's barrister asked whether she had followed Inspectorate guidelines re. her proof of evidence.  Cross questioning will go on long into tomorrow because BLOT's barrister also has the opportunity to cross question her.  It doesn't sound as if the early finish some wanted tomorrow will materialise!  As each day goes by the timetable seems to get a little more behind.

Wednesday, 10th February

The Council's historical witness (Mike Dawson) was giving evidence this morning, having had new evidence to consider overnight.  He was cross questioned by the appellant's advocate this afternoon and due to the fact that they found little common ground, this will continue tomorrow.  Some of the public are returning tomorrow.  They say they want to hear what happens next! 

Having put forward a reasonable timetable we are disappointed the other parties did not warn us they would need more time.  Consequently we are even more behind than yesterday.  It looks as if our first witness (re. landscape) will not be on until Friday morning (some parties will not stay after 2pm on Friday!) with the appellant's landscape witness next Tuesday, followed by noise issues and our local witnesses.  We are hoping a third week will not be necessary - but don't hold your breath!

Tuesday, 9th February - The start of the appeal proper

Procedural issues were addressed.  Barristers opened their cases and then, due to late evidence, there was a change to the programme.  Three of our witnesses stepped into the breach and gave their evidence re. historical assets.  We should be back on track tomorrow and hopefully have not lost too much time.  BLOT's main day should be Tuesday, 16th - please come and support us if you can.  The public who have requested to speak should be on Thursday, 18th.

There were many BLOT supporters in the audience and interestingly, not one member of the public expressed a wish to speak in support of the proposal to build a wind farm at Palmers Hollow!

Monday 8th February, 2010 - Accompanied site visit

The two inspectors, landscape and historical witnesses from all parties and locals drove for six hours around the site and further afield (Bottesford, Barrowby, Harlaxton, Belvoir, Elton, Kilvington, Staunton, Long Bennington, Normanton and Bellmount Tower at Belton (to see the effect 100 metre turbines would have on the countryside and historical assets.  We flew the blimp from where turbines 1 and 8 are planned to be sited, to show the inspectors the effect they could have.  Several supporters helped with this onerous and freezing job - thank you - it was worth it.  We saw the blimp, Belvoir Castle, St. Mary's spire or all three together, continuously throughout the day.  We hope the inspectors were left in no doubt how big these turbines will be and how damaging to the local area they would be if they allow the appeal.