July 22, 2008
England

Wind monitoring mast plan looks set to be approved

Plans for a monitoring mast at a site controversially earmarked for Britain’s biggest-ever wind turbines looks set to be approved today.

Opponents have launched a protest group and won backing from Hillsborough MP Angela Smith in their fight to stop the development at Sheephouse Heights, by the side of the Stocksbridge Bypass.

The gigantic structures would tower 410ft or 125 metres into the sky.

Protect Sheephouse Heights campaign group is worried the height and colossal size of the turbines would make them visible for miles.

Evelop UK Ltd Erection has applied for plannng permission for a 70metre, or 229ft high wind monitoring mast on green belt land, next to Sheephouse Farm off Mortimer Road, Penistone.

The action group, Langsett and Oxspring Parish Councils and Penistone councillor Robert Barnard have all objected to the temporary mast.

But planners at Barnsley Council look set to approve the application after being told it will only be in place for three months.

They were told it does “involves the introduction of a relatively large and alien structure into the landscape”.

Protest group spokesman Alan Hey said: “The logistics of massive movements of materials and components, transporting 40,000 tonnes of building material to the site, would create enormous problems on rural roads.”

By Gail Robinson

The Star

22 July 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/22/wind-monitoring-mast-plan-looks-set-to-be-approved/