Paragliding Club Fails in Lawsuit Against Wind Turbine in North Rhine-Westphalia - Court Rejects Paragliding Club's Fight Against Wind Turbine Expansion
A paragliding and hang-gliding club in North Rhine-Westphalia has lost its legal battle against a planned wind turbine in Hochsauerland district. The state's Higher Administrative Court (OVG) dismissed the club's emergency motion, allowing the project to move forward.
The turbine will stand about 550 metres from the club's launch site, a distance the club claimed would create serious safety risks and restrict flight activities.
The club had argued that the turbine would place unreasonable limits on its operations and endanger pilots. They warned that the structure's proximity could force them to reduce flights or even shut down.
However, the OVG ruled that the club had been properly consulted during the planning process. The judges also found no proof that the project would threaten the club's survival. Their decision noted that flights could still take place safely at wind speeds below 20 kilometres per hour. The case comes as wind energy expands in the region. VERBUND has taken over project rights for wind park sites in Hochsauerlandkreis, though the exact number of turbines remains unclear. Nearby, the Trianel Windpark Sundern is under construction, with 12 turbines due for completion by late 2026 and two more already permitted. Additional developments, including repowering projects, are expected to continue over the next five years, with visible construction activity by March 2026.
The court's ruling clears the way for the turbine's construction. The club must now adjust to the new conditions, though low-wind flights can continue as before. The decision also reflects broader growth in wind energy across the Sauerland region.
