August 17, 2012
England

Concern over boundary stones in new wind farm access plan

Joanne Ginley | Yorkshire Post | 17 August 2012

Fears have been raised that plans to alter access to a planned wind farm near Todmorden could damage boundary stones “crucial to the character of the Pennine moorlands.”

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Ltd was granted planning permission following a public inquiry to put three wind turbines on moorland near Todmorden but the applicant is now seeking permission to revise its plans to allow construction vehicles to gain better access and manoeuvre on site.

The developer is seeking permission to modify how vehicles can get on and off the site at Reaps Moss, off Bacup Road.

In a letter to members of Calderdale Council’s planning committee, which meets on Tuesday, West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service (WYAAS) has raised concerns the access track has boundary stones which may be of “regional archaeological importance” as they echo the character of the area.

A report prepared for councillors says WYAAS raise concerns: “…the improvement of the access track has the potential to result in the damage or removal of some or all of the boundary stones along its length.”

It recommends the stones must be protected with specialist fencing while the work takes place.

In the report council officers say the proposed alterations will have an impact on views. However officers are recommending the revisions to the scheme are given the green light, pointing out that a report produced after the public inquiry ruled that the benefits of the scheme outweighed any adverse impacts.

If councillors decide to back the plans, permission will be subject to a number of conditions and a legal agreement being in place to minimise the impact.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/17/concern-over-boundary-stones-in-new-wind-farm-access-plan/