Glyndebourne wind turbine given go-ahead

8.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 16th Jul 2008

You can watch Peter Gardiner discussing the decision by the government to grant permission for the Glyndebourne wind turbine.

The news that the government has given permission for the Glyndebourne wind turbine to go ahead has been cautiously welcomed by the Liberal Democrat group that runs Lewes District Council. You can watch Peter Gardiner's reaction at http://www.leweslibdems.org.uk/tv

The district's lead councillor for planning, Peter Gardiner, who lives in and represents Ringmer where the turbine will be built, said: "Many residents across the south-east will be pleased that the turbine has been recommended for approval, and that includes many who live in Ringmer. But it's also important to recognise and respect that many will be angry and disappointed."

Councillor Gardiner added: "I believe we all have to make every effort to reduce our own carbon footprint, and to encourage businesses to do the same. Since this application was made, the effect of carbon emissions on our climate has become much clearer and more pronounced. Even Lord Stern, whose report showed the economic impact that global warming is expected to have, has been saying he may have underestimated the impact of climate change."

The application for a turbine was approved by the Lewes District Council planning committee in July 2007 despite a recommendation from officers to reject it. The committee, which is non-party-political, approved it along cross-party lines.