September 19, 2012
England

Wind turbine plans rejected by council

Melton Times | www.meltontimes.co.uk 18 September 2012

There were tears of joy as villagers celebrated a council’s decision to refuse proposals for two wind turbines in Thorpe Satchville.

Melton Council’s development committee turned down proposals for a 77m high turbine at Park Farm and a 46m high turbine at neighbouring Hall Farm on grounds that they would, due to their height, position and movement, introduce a new element into the landscape which would be widely visible.

More than 100 villagers attended last Thursday’s meeting which heard the views of numerous objectors to both applications as well as the agents for the applicants.

Among the concerns raised included visual impact and noise, health fears, impact on the landscape, homes and wildlife and impact on the setting of the historic Burrough Hill Iron Age Fort.

On the other hand a smaller number of people who supported the proposals argued the turbines wouldn’t have had such a huge impact on the landscape and that the production of renewable energy should be supported.

The committee had been recommended to approve both applications, subject to conditions, but members decided to refuse them after considering whether or not they would cause substantial harm to the landscape.

Anna Freij, a member of the ThorpeSayNo campaign group, broke into tears of joy after councillors rejected the Hall Farm proposal, the first of the two applications to be heard.

Anna, who was among those to speak at the meeting, was so overjoyed she could hardly speak.

She said: “It’s so heartening the councillors listened to us and really wanted to do their best for the future of our area.

“This is a difficult issue. We want renewable energy and a future for our children but we also want the best in terms of the future of our heritage.

“What we have an issue with is massive turbines that blight our lives and our historic landscape.”

After the meeting John Gordon, who voiced his concerns to councillors about the Park Farm proposal, added: “I think the outcome of this meeting shows that Melton needs to identify the fair and right place for huge industrial turbines. A strategy needs to be developed.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/19/wind-turbine-plans-rejected-by-council/