A HIGH Court judge has reserved judgement on an appeal against a wind turbine at Tidenham.

The appeal was brought by Mr Peter Wright of Stroat and if he is successful it could have major implications for future wind turbine developments across England.

The case was heard by Mr Justice Dove at the High Court in London last Thursday.

Mr Wright argues that the Forest of Dean District Council passed the planning permission for the turbine based on the money being offered to the community.

He argues that community benefit is not a ‘material’ planning reason and the council’s planning decision should be quashed.

The ’defendant’ in the case is the Forest Council and the Resiliance Centre at Woolaston – which is backing the plan – was represented as an interested party.

It is argued that if Mr Wright is successful it would place additional constraints on the public’s ability to participate in renewable energy generation and will make the renewable energy secor more uncertain.