March 7, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Two massive wind turbines could soon be towering over the Telford landscape to generate power for one of the town’s biggest factories, it was revealed today.
The turbines – even taller to their blade tip than the cooling towers at Ironbridge Power Station – could be installed at the Epson (Telford) Ltd plant at Hortonwood. Telford & Wrekin Council has now launched a consultation exercise on the plans.
The proposals are due to be discussed by Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council tonight as part of that exercise.
Chairman Pat Smart, speaking personally, said she was “alarmed” at the scale and visual impact of the proposed turbines.
She said: “How much electricity would they generate and how much would they save?”
She said when wind turbines had been discussed by the parish council previously members did not like the look of them.
Of the latest application she said: “The whole landscape is gradually being changed by developers and I am just desperately concerned about development generally.”
Mrs Smart, who was not speaking on behalf of the council, added: “It used to be a delightful parish, full of fields, the best barley fields in Europe we were told as children and now it’s covered in empty factories.”
Epson was unavailable for comment today.
In a letter to the parish council, borough council planning officer, Tanya Dearing, says: “Please be advised that the local planning authority anticipate a planning application for a wind energy scheme at the Epson (Telford) Ltd ink cartridge manufacturing facility at Telford.
“The scheme will consist of two wind turbines of 121metres to blade tip, together with ancillary structures.”
She says: “The purpose of the turbines is to generate electricity for direct use by Epson, Telford.”
She adds: “The local planning authority will carry out further consultation when a formal application is made.”
The proposed turbines would be 121 metres (397ft) from the ground to the top of the blade tips, seven metres (23ft) taller than the cooling towers at Ironbridge Power Station and would dwarf the 48 metre (157ft) high Telford Plaza, the town centre’s tallest building.
6 MArch 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/07/massive-wind-turbines-bid/