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The Makara Guardians have decided not to appeal the Environment Court decision allowing Meridian Energy's massive wind farm on Wellington's west coast to go ahead.
The court approved the plan last month, but trimmed the number of turbines from 70 to 66. Six Makara homes will be within one kilometre of the turbines and 135 homes within two kilometres.
Guardians spokeswoman Jenny Jorgenson said they have grounds for appeal, but will not continue the fight because they simply cannot justify the cost for their small community.
She said they would probably only be able to have the number of turbines trimmed further, not stop the project altogether.
She said their only hope now is that Meridan decides not to go ahead, as delays have added an extra $120 million to the original estimate of $500 million, and that means it may not longer be viable.
- NEWSTALK ZB
