January 13, 2012
England

Blown away

Scarborough Evening News, www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk 13 January 2012

A plan to install 16 wind turbines on the roof of one of Scarborough’s most historic hotels has been refused.

It had been submitted by bosses of the Grade II* listed Crown Spa Hotel in Esplanade and was heard by members of Scarborough Council’s Planning Committee at Westborough Methodist Church yesterday.

Karen Lawton, one of the council’s planning officers, said that efforts at the hotel to reduce the carbon footprint were commendable and added: “Members of the public have expressed support for this, however the listed building will be adversely affected by this.”

David Frank, the hotel director, said noise created by the turbines would be equivalent to a quiet suburb and there would be minimal vibration created by the turbines. He added: “Twenty-four people have come forward to support it while only 10 people opposed it.”

Adrian Perry, the chairman of Scarborough and District Civic Society, said that the group did not oppose attempts to use renewable energy but had concerns when the equipment was on the outside of listed buildings or those within the town’s Conservation Area.

He added that English Heritage planned to object to the Secretary of State if the plan was approved. “This makes it clear to me that English Heritage has expressed its disapproval of this proposal in the strongest possible terms, and is not prepared to let the matter rest.”

Hotel owners had hoped to place the turbines on the roof, next to 19 existing solar panels, in an ongoing effort to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2015 – it has reduced its carbon footprint by 25 per cent in five years.

Cllr Colin Haddington said that while he commended their efforts to reduce CO2 he could not accept the application. He added: “We are talking about a Grade 2 listed building in South Cliff, overlooking the South Bay – it’s a landmark.”

He added that there was a landmark in London called Trafalgar Square and there would be an outcry if someone applied to place a wind turbine on top of Lord Nelson’s head.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/13/blown-away-2/