A decision to allow a third wind farm to be built on appeal has been branded “utterly disgraceful.”

Maldon District Council had refused planning permission for the Turncole Farm site between Southminster and Burnham in October 2011.

Developer RES appealed and planning inspector, John Woodcock, held a public inquiry last April.

But the final decision fell to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who announced last week he agreed with Mr Woodcock’s recommendation to approve seven turbines, each up to 126.5m in height.

Windfarms at Middlewick in Southminster and Hockley Farm in Bradwell were also granted on appeal in the past few years.

Full story in this week's Burnham Standard.