August 7, 2012
England

Temporary wind mast plans approved

Lancashire Evening Post | www.lep.co.uk 7 August 2012

Plans to erect a huge wind turbine test mast overlooking Preston Docks have been approved.

Councillors have given temporary permission for the 80m high mast to be put up.

The mast will be erected at Wallend Road, on an area of open land set to the west of the TRAX racing complex.

Preston Council gave the plans the go ahead at a planning meeting yesterday.

The test mast is being erected to see if the area will be suitable for three wind turbines to supply green energy.

It will be constructed of grey galvanised lightweight tubular steelwork, with a lattice design.

The test mast has been given temporary approval for 12 months.

It must have an aviation warning light and the land must be reinstated after use.

The committee heard that the mast will be no taller than electricity pylons in the area.

The mast could be sited in various positions within the site over the 12 month period to enable wind speeds across the site to be measured.

Councillors reached a unanimous decision to approve the plans.