Councillors throw out plans for ‘death risk’ wind turbine  

Credit:  The Sentinel, www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk 3 December 2011 ~~

Plans to put up a wind turbine in an area of outstanding beauty have been rejected.

Opponents claimed the proposed site at Marshes Hill, Brown Edge, was common land. The application by Heritage Energy Ltd sparked opposition from the parish council and five residents.

The application was defeated seven votes to six on the casting vote of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council planning committee chairman Paul Roberts.

Councillor Mike Worthington said he was concerned that the 15 metre (49ft) turbine was too close to a public footpath and posed a health and safety risk. He said: “I would not want someone’s death on my hands.

“It will also involve a loss of trees. The parish council has objected very strongly to this application.”

But councillor John Fisher said the council should help provide alternative energy sources. He said: “In the West Midlands we have not grasped this issue. We are not harnessing wind in the interests of the nation.

“It is a spurious argument about the turbine toppling.

“Unless we have a hurricane that is unlikely to happen.”