Anger at Holderness wind farm cash offer
An energy company's offer to pay £70,000 to a Holderness community as part its wind farm plans have been likened to "trying to buy democracy"
Energiekontor UK is offering a £70,000 lump sum to the community fund if its plans for a three-turbine development at Monkwith, near Tunstall, are approved.
The company argues that amount would be the total needed to take the matter to an appeal if rejected and feels this would be a better way of using the cash.
It would be on top of the annual contribution the company would make to a community fund.
But councillors and local residents have slammed the proposal as "unethical".
Chair of Hilston and Tunstall Residents' Association, Jackie Cracknell, said: "I think this is inducing the decision makers into a positive decision for them and is unethical.
"Some may consider this to be a generous offer but the people I represent are not happy about it. These could be considered dirty tactics.
"But I have faith in the planning process in the East Riding.
"Councillors are the last bastion of hope and I feel they, and the officers will make a balanced decision."
Fellow resident Dr Brian Wells was equally scathing
He said: "I don't think the company is doing anything illegal but it strikes me the offer could deny people the full planning procedure and it's an unethical approach.
"It's a disgrace to be honest."
Chair of South Holderness Opposes Wind Turbines (Showt) Cherie Blenkin expressed her concern.
"You cannot put a price on democracy," she said. "It cannot be bought.
"It's a democratic right to object and if it costs money, so be it."
Local councillor Richard Stead added: "I think this is diabolical. It's an attempt almost to bribe democracy in my view."
Roos Parish Council chairman David Winter is also angered by the offer.
He said: "I think this is like immoral blackmail and it unacceptable."
East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby believes the move by Energiekontor is misplaced.
He said: "Monetary offers just have no relevance to the planning process.
"I don't think this is a smart move and hasn't done the company any favours.
"It just adds doubts to the planning process and puts more pressure on the decision makers."
The Monkwith application was deferred by the East Riding planning committee in October, despite being recommended for approval by planning officers.
In a statement, Energiekontor insisted the offer is a sensible approach and shows goodwill.
Project manager Chris Grainey said:
"It is accepted that planning appeals are a costly affair for both the council and the developer.
"If planning permission is forthcoming without the need for an appeal, Energiekontor is prepared to offer an additional one-off payment of £70,000 in the first year of the community fund to give it a
good start in supporting worthy projects in the local area.
"There would also be the usual annual £12,000 to £15,000 payment into the community fund.
"If the planning committee accepts the planning officer's recommendation for approval then there will be no need for an appeal and the tax payers in the East Riding will not burdened with the £70,000 cost of defending another wind farm appeal."
The Monkwith proposal is likely to be re-considered by the planning committee on Thursday.
18 Comments
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by Derek, Bev
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 11:59AM
“Remind me - Tunstall - that's the village that is going to fall into the sea by mid century due to rising sea levels from climate change, isn't it?
So let me get this straight - some in Tunstall are opposing the turbines just because they'll 'be able to see them' whilst doing NOTHING to combat climate change?
Does anyone remember Douglas Adams' B Ark? Lol!”
by Turbine Hugger, Hull
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 11:51AM
“Interesting to note the cries of 'foul play' from Councillors Stead and Parnaby in relation to the offer of a community fund - neither of them seem to take any account of the Council's own policy expects the provision of such community funds.
It would appear that the Councillors think the Developers haven¿t been 'smart' here and have acted ¿diabolically¿ by being too generous in their offer to give £70,000 of their money away to the local community in the Tunstall area. Am I right in thinking that the offer came about after the Council's Officers had already recommended that the application be approved and the developers were asked to look at improving their offer in the last planning committee meeting? I think so.
It¿s ludicrous to accuse the developers of being less than smart when it is the Councillors who don¿t even appear to know their own policies!!!
Are the councillors planning to make their own massive investment in the local area and therefore don¿t need these funds offered in good will by the developer or is it that they just pandering to the usual vocal minority of NIMBYs who oppose everything in this area ¿ even offers of investment in their own community?”
by I love, Tunstall
Sunday, December 06 2009, 8:48PM
“Paul is quite right, Coleen, you're an idiot”
by Pete, Hull
Sunday, December 06 2009, 6:56PM
“Many planning application are not even submitted until the 106 money has been agreed.
Why these people think there is something strange going on only goes to show they probably have never been interested in planning application before.
just because they are ignorant of the procedure does not mean the procedure its self is wrong.”
by Paul S, Hull
Sunday, December 06 2009, 6:18PM
“This company knows that, because our Government has rigged planning laws, it will comfortably get whatever permission it needs. The offer of a payment looks, to me, to be a way of compensating the community for loss of its way of life. That's why these small areas are singled out - because they don't have the resources to fight back. Most companies would just ignore the locals so credit to these for trying.
As for your point, Coleen, that planning permission should not be needed to save the planet I can't tell if you are bonkers or having a laugh! But if you want to save the planet start in Brazil or Indonesia where thousands of miles or rain forest are being trashed to produce "environmentally friendly" biofuels to be shipped to places like the UK. As recent reports demonstrate the only "green" in the green lobby is the colour of the cash. Nuclear is the only answer.”
by SPIKED, East Riding
Sunday, December 06 2009, 2:26PM
“This story doesn't tell you that one of the "Green" organisations will also be on a commission from the energy company for encouraging the owner of the land to allow the building on these monostrosities. And think about it this whole global warming thing is all built on a lie.”
by coleen Gill, Elloughton
Sunday, December 06 2009, 12:23PM
“Anything to do with Wind Turbines and saving the planet should not even need planning permission. We all use electricity.”
by Jamie, Beverley
Sunday, December 06 2009, 9:50AM
“Danny, Too Late.”
by Danny, Bev
Sunday, December 06 2009, 2:28AM
“Jamie, it's clear you have no idea how commuted sums works...
...I just hope you never get on ERYC, because if you do, you won't know what you're doing!! At least councillors who are elected know what they are saying ( albeit to feather their own beds).”
by Badger, Bev
Sunday, December 06 2009, 2:25AM
“HDM... you have a crap website! I've been trying to bet a comment online for an hour and it keeps saying there is a fault... would it be refering to your editor?????”