August 23, 2011
England

Controversial turbine gets planning green light

By John Crossley, Burton Mail, www.burtonmail.co.uk 23 August 2011

An egg farm is to install a 150ft (46.9m) wind turbine after the controversial plans were granted by a planning inspector, over-ruling a council’s decision to refuse them.

FG Thompstone will be allowed to install the triple-bladed 225kW turbine, on its land in Anslow Park, Main Road, Anslow, to help power its 36,000-hen business.

The original proposals were thrown out by East Staffordshire Borough Council by the narrowest of margins in March when it fell at the planning committee by one vote.

Applicant Frank Thompstone appealed to the independent planning inspectorate, and the borough council’s decision has now been overturned.

The proposals for a turbine have sparked debate and anger from many in Anslow since they were first unveiled in October last year.

Mr Thompstone said: “I’m pleased.

There are a lot of conditions in there making sure the noise cannot go outside various limits.”

He declined to comment further, but during the planning process he maintained the turbine would generate green energy reduce the egg farm’s reliance on electricity from fossil fuels.

In the planning inspector’s report, it reads: “The proposed turbine would be acceptable because of the renewable energy it produced.”

It added: “To ensure that the living conditions of residents in the area would not be unacceptably harmed it would be necessary to set noise limits for the development.” Residents had complained about the visual impact and noise that a turbine would create.

Burton Albion chairman and Anslow resident Ben Robinson campaigned against the turbine since the original plans were submitted, and he was disappointed but not surprised by the inspector’s decision.

“I look forward to seeing this monstrosity out of my bedroom window every morning,” he said.

“The jury is still out on many respects in terms of the efficiency of these things.

“My view, and the view of lots of others, is that the Government has got it wrong on wind turbines. I believe it sets a precedent, and it’s obvious that we will see more of these turbines in the future.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/23/controversial-turbine-gets-planning-green-light/