June 1, 2011
England

Residents fear turbine will scar the landscape

By Tom Glover, www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk 1 June 2011

Angry esidents fear allowing an application for a 112 foot high wind turbine in Mosterton could open the flood gates for more of the same.

Plans for the single 50kW wind turbine, which measures 112ft (34.5m) by 63ft (19.2m), at Seaborough Manor Dairy Farm have caused outrage among some residents who believe it would “permanently scar” the landscape.

Businesses who rely on the tourist trade are also concerned that holidaymakers will be put off coming to the area if the turbine gets the go head.

Jim Cooper, of neighbouring West Farm, said allowing the turbine would pave the way for similar applications to be pushed through.

He said: “We fear for our newly started holiday business. We promote the beautiful countryside around us to riders cyclists walkers we have a duty of care to our customers and feel it would be difficult to continue it this turbine was given the go ahead.”

His concerns were echoed by John Newman, Landlord of the Admiral Hood Pub.

He added: “There is every chance it will effect West Farm’s holiday business from which we get quite a few customers. I am originally from London and cannot believe how anyone would want to spoil this beautiful countryside.”

The applicant, whose family have been farmers in Dorset for more than three generations, state that the turbine is the most effective way of reducing their business’ environmental impact as well as being a necessary cost saving measure.

Original plans were scaled down to reduce the impact on the surrounding area and a more expensive turbine is proposed to reduce the noise impact on nearby residents.

Mr Cooper sympathises with the need for renewable energy but still believes the application should be refused.

“We, and many residents of Mosterton, are all for renewable energy but the location and size of this turbine being placed in the most prominent site possible in an AONB is the main issue,” he said.

Brenda Stevens of UK Llamas added: “The 112 foot wind turbine would permanently scar this precious countryside, and no doubt be followed by many others.

“In the nearby villages in both Dorset and Somerset, there are so many people whose lives are enriched by the beauty of their surroundings and whose livelihood would be adversely affected if this planning application should be approved.”

The plans have also been objected to by the Mosterton Parish Council who believe the site is to close to neighbouring properties and that noise pollution would be a major issue.

Parish Clerk Freda Hennessy said: “Mosterton Parish Council and the residents of Mosterton are not opposed to the installation of alternative sources of energy supply.

“However in this case the proposed placing of the wind turbine is, in their opinion, wrong, and the application should be refused.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/01/residents-fear-turbine-will-scar-the-landscape/