THE ruling by the High Court to quash planning permission for the

Severndale Community Wind Turbine marks a sad day for renewable energy and local resilience in the Forest of Dean.  

The case, brought by a small minority of objectors, used a technicality in planning law to argue our council should not have been able to recognise the local benefits of the scheme.

So, despite acknowledging that the scheme was high quality, had no other significant planning impacts and that local supporters significantly out-

weighed objectors, our democratically-elected councillors are not allowed to recognise the benefits from the scheme being owned locally and generating income for local causes.

This decision not only has an impact on us in the Forest of Dean but has far-reaching implications for community energy projects and community enterprise schemes across the country. 

On behalf of supporters of the project, and community enterprise more generally, I hope our councillors will be resolute in standing by their original, well-balanced, democratic decision and appeal against this ruling.

– Janine Michael, on behalf of Dean Community Energy Group.