September 20, 2010
England

Batsmen see off wind turbine plan

By Michael Peel, Evening Courier, www.halifaxcourier.co.uk 20 September 2010

Plans for a 25-metre wind turbine have been bowled out by a village cricket club.

According to a planning inspector the turbine would be almost directly in the eyeline of a batsman on some of the wickets at Bradshaw, Halifax.

“Part of the tower and the whole of the moving blade would be visible above the sight screen behind a bowler’s arm.

“This would be a distraction and potentially disruptive to the enjoyment or outcome of the game.”

Inspector Philip Major said the turbine at Harper Barn, Bradshaw Lane, should not be allowed because of the harmful effect it would have on the club.

The fact that it would be in clear view of a number of houses, was inappropriate in the Green Belt and potentially noisy, were not the deciding factors in dismissing a planning appeal by Mr S. Batty.

However Mr Major has allowed an appeal for an identical turbine at Heath Lea Farm, Greetland Road, Barkisland.

Here, he said the balance depended on the relationship between the substantial harm to the green belt against the advantages of renewable energy production.

The turbine planned by Mr J. Haigh should save about 23 tons of carbon emissions each year.

“I am also satisfied that the ecology of the moorland close by would be unaffected by the development,” said Mr Major.

l An appeal by Oxford Bingo to be allowed to build a three storey wine bar and bistro, with three flats above it, in Holme Street, Hebden Bridge, has been turned down.

Planning inspector John Westerbrook said the only reason for refusal was the effect on the living conditions of people living in a flat at nearby 21A West End.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/20/batsmen-see-off-wind-turbine-plan/