August 3, 2012
England

Councillor’s controversial wind turbine plan withdrawn

The Citizen | www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk 3 August 2012

A former planning chief has halted his controversial bid for a 33.5 metre wind turbine on his farm in Stroud.

Farmer Graham Littleton, previously chairman of the development control committee of Stroud District Council, has withdrawn his planning application for the windmill on his land in Elmore.

Conservative Mr Littleton, who lost the chairmanship when the May elections ousted his party from power, said he’d withdrawn the scheme after council planning officers decided to recommend it be refused.

The turbine, which would have been 27 metres tall to its hub, had otherwise been due to come before his fellow councillors on the committee for a decision on August 14.

But officials were concerned about the danger the windmill might post to birds at a nearby falconry and about its impact on the landscape, Mr Littleton said.

“I didn’t want to waste the committee’s time. I felt that members would refuse it. I am reviewing my options,” he said.

Objections

The turbine had prompted considerable objections including from both the Elmore and Hardwicke Parish Councils, the Council for the Protection of Rural England, and nearby residents.

Protestor Gordon Davis, whose home is about a quarter of a mile away, said he was “really pleased” the scheme was withdrawn.

“I just hope it doesn’t come back,” Mr Davis said. “I didn’t think it was viable. One of my main worries was the falconer.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/03/councillors-controversial-wind-turbine-plan-withdrawn/