CAMPAIGNERS are delighted that the developer behind a �7million windfarm has withdrawn his proposal just days before a decision was due.

John Howard

CAMPAIGNERS are delighted that the developer behind a �7million windfarm has withdrawn his proposal just days before a decision was due.

The plan, earmarked for land next to Potash Lane at Wyverstone, near Stowmarket, would have seen two 130m turbines built, providing electricity to more than 3,600 homes.

The development has caused fierce debate for two years with Mid Suffolk District Council, whose councillors were due to meet tomorrow, receiving more than 520 objections and nine villages called for the scheme to be scrapped.

Andy Hilton, managing director of Norfolk based Wind Power Renewables and the man behind the project, believes the site will enhance the landscape. A spokesman for his firm said: “On September 17 2008 full planning permission and supporting documentation, in the form of a full environmental impact assessment was submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council.

“The consultation period has now been completed and as there are some valid technical issues raised by the planning officers and consultees.

“In this light we have decided to withdraw the planning application and address the issues with a view to resubmission of the application. We intend to resubmit the documents within the next few months with additional information.

“We are still very confident that this project will go ahead and that we now have the guidance from the consultees and planning officers to enable a more robust application to be issued.”

District council officers recommended that the project be thrown out by their councillors, because of insufficient and inconsistent information.

Officers said the developer had failed to prove that there are would be no problems in a whole host of areas, including for the landscape, wildlife and for residents who may suffer from noise from the windfarm.

Parish councils at Bacton, Badwell Ash, Cotton, Elmswell, Finningham, Great Ashfield, Wetherden, Westhorpe and Wyverstone have opposed the idea, but more than 400 people have also supported green power.

Stop Wyverstone Wind farm Action Group (SWWAG) also opposes the proposed development and Dr Neil Macey, a Stowmarket GP and SWWAG's chairman, said: “We are delighted.

“There has been an awful lot of upset for people over two years, and then this has been withdrawn. We do not know if this will come back, but whatever happens we are as convinced as ever of the inappropriateness of the site.

“We are well organised and well funded and we are waiting for him. We have a fighting fund and members and know what we have to do. We are not going away.”

A spokeswoman for Mid Suffolk District Council confirmed that the applicant has withdrawn the application and the matter will not go before councillors on Wednesday now.