PEOPLE across Basingstoke and Deane have the opportunity to view and comment on an appeal application for a controversial wind farm.

As previously reported by The Gazette, EDF Energy Renewables Limited applied for permission to build a wind farm at Bullington Cross, in Sutton Scotney, in May 2013.

But, in June last year, the plan was rejected by the planning committees of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Winchester City Council and Test Valley Borough Council.

The site of the proposed wind farm crosses the boundaries of all three local authorities, with seven turbines in Winchester, four in Basingstoke and Deane and three in Test Valley.

The scheme is proposed for land at Bullington Cross, where the A303 and A34 dual carriageways intersect, and would provide enough electricity for 15,000 homes.

When refusing the application, councillors argued that Bullington Cross was not the right site for a wind farm, and surveys found legally protected bats and dormice living in and around the site.

But 2,840 people from Basingstoke alone supported the scheme.

EDF announced last December that it was going to launch an appeal against the decision to the planning inspectorate.

And residents across Basingstoke and Deane can now view planning documents for the application at the borough council’s offices in London Road until Wednesday, April 29.

Any written comments on the supplementary environmental information should be sent by April 29 to Ms Leanne Palmer of The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/26, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting the Basingstoke and Deane reference APP/H1705/W/14/3001603.

A spokesman for EDF Energy Renewables said: “Ahead of the planning inquiry to be held later this year, we have provided updated supplementary information on a range of environmental matters associated with the scheme.

"We take the utmost care with our site selection for all our projects and we continue to believe the Bullington Cross site is an excellent location for the size of wind farm proposed.”

A public inquiry on the planning appeal will be heard by a Government planning inspector from October 13.

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