Meridian Energy's planned wind farm in northern Rangitikei has hit a snag.
Rangitikei District Council last week voted not to extend the lapse date of the resource consent for Project Central Wind. Meridian immediately filed an objection.
The energy company gained resource consent to build the farm five years ago, then won an Environment Court hearing to proceed with the project after an appeal by Rangitikei Guardians, the plan's main opponents.
The wind farm would be across five privately owned rural properties on a site between Waiouru and Taihape. It would contain about 50 turbines generating an estimated 120-130 megawatts, enough to power up to 50,000 average homes.
But consent for the project will lapse later this month. For the extension to be granted, Meridian had to show it had made substantial progress or effort on the project, had approval from persons who might be adversely affected by its granting, and that it fitted with the objectives of Rangitikei's district plan.