April 6, 2012
England

Cardeston turbine plan rejected after meeting chaos

By Wayne Beese, Shropshire Star, www.shropshirestar.com 6 April 2012

Controversial plans to install a 150ft wind turbine in the Shropshire countryside have been thrown out amid chaotic scenes at a council meeting to decide on the scheme.

The application for the wind turbine at Lower House Farm in Cardeston, near Shrewsbury, was refused at a central planning committee meeting yesterday. But the decision was shrouded in controversy.

It came after confusion following a tie in the voting – with five members voting to approve the turbine and five against.

Councillor Tudor Bebb, chairman of the Shirehall meeting, thought he had abstained from the voting and was unsure about whether he was able to cast the deciding vote in the event of the tie.

A debate ensued about whether to take the vote again but after a short break so that legal advice could be given, the plans were turned down.

Councillor Bebb said: “The situation is that because I didn’t technically vote to abstain the first time around I still have the casting say on this matter and my vote is for refusal.”

Members had raised fears about the huge impact it would have on the village and residents claimed it would destroy their countryside for generations.

Resident Roger Carlisle said: “It has been said recently that wind power is the most inefficient form of solar power and in fact council leader Keith Barrow has said that people are only interested in it because of the huge subsidies involved and he is completely right.

“It would be total hypocrisy if this goes ahead and the character of Shropshire would be ruined for generations.”

But agents on behalf of applicants Gethin and Co argued that despite some objections the development had also received some support from locals.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/06/cardeston-turbine-plan-rejected-after-meeting-chaos/