For the first time, the Montpellier court has ordered the demolition of seven wind turbines located on the heights of Lunas, in Hérault.
A victory for the environmental associations, which fought for their disappearance for nearly 10 years.
On Europe 1, Minister Barbara Pompili mentions an illegal construction but defends wind energy.
"We would have cried."
The Montpellier court has just ordered the demolition of a plant with seven wind turbines in Lunas, in the Hérault.
The judge considered that this park had been built illegally, and ordered the developer to restore the area.
A victory for environmental associations, which however tastes a bit bitter.
"All this mess while for 10 years, in fact, we were right", sigh representatives of the regional collective "All our energies".
Two cancellations of the building permit
Since the beginning of the affair, they denounce the "absurdity" of this project.
The wind turbines have been built and operated for 10 years, despite two cancellations of building permits by the Council of State.
"The project is at the same time on migratory corridors where there are a certain number of protected species. It is also a regional natural park. And then it is in an absolutely non-building zone. Which is nevertheless a lot" , points out Jean Pougnet, member of the collective.
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For them, these industrial parks are the opposite of ecology.
For example, they would prefer more incentives for users to reduce their energy consumption.
"Wind turbines artificialize the soil. In addition, we combine nuclear power, wind power, photovoltaics, tomorrow hydrogen," laments Michèle Solans, another member of "All our energies".
"The first recommendations that we should make is to provide more resources to insulate houses. And to encourage the French little by little to lower their consumption."
Pompili wants "more consultation" before construction
Guest of Europe 1 Friday morning, the Minister of Ecology Barbara Pompili returned to this case.
"Of course wind power is green, it allows renewable energy to be exploited. But as in all matters, there can be abuses, illegal constructions. Justice is there to do its job."
The Minister also assures us that the Climate Bill, soon to be examined in the Assembly, provides that there will be in the future "more consultations" upstream of the construction of new parks.
For his part, the promoter Valeco is surprised by this court decision and intends to appeal.
An appeal which will not, however, be suspensive.
The decision is enforceable and provides for the destruction of the seven wind turbines within four months, subject to a penalty of 9,000 euros per day.