Villagers’ joy as turbine is refused

Credit: Ilkeston Advertiser | 10 May 2013 | www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk ~~

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Villagers have won their fight against a 150ft wind turbine which was set to be built less than half a mile from their homes.

Despite advice from planning officers to approve the plan for Friesland Farm, Sandiacre, councillors voted against it on the grounds that it was on greenbelt land.

Residents and parish councillors teamed up to fight the turbine plan, which they said would have blighted the countryside, killed wildlife and kept them awake at night.

Villager Lynne Evans said after the meeting on Wednesday at Ilkeston Town Hall: “We’re obviously quite relieved – it’s been a long, hard slog.”

“It’s fantastic,” added Claire Gallagher, of Manor Farm, just 600m from the proposed site.

“It’s the result we needed.”

Discussing the plan, Cllr Margaret Griffiths said: “Guidelines say there has to be very, very special circumstances to overcome building on the greenbelt.

“I don’t feel convinced we have them here.”

The 30m-high turbine – which was planned to be used by Garry Peacock to power his farm – would have stood at 45m with the rotors attached, and be visible from most of Stanton-by-Dale, standing 800km away from the village centre.

And Cllr Daniel Walton added: “It has been said that it’s the jewel in the crown of our greenbelt and it certainly is. I would hate to see a 30m mast in what is a beautiful area.”

A total of 64 objections were received by Erewash Borough Council.

But some councillors, including Howard Griffiths, supported the turbine’s economic benefits for Mr Peacock’s farm.

“I think we should try to encourage people to farm and one way of doing that is to make them more economically viable,” he argued.

But councillors voted seven to four in favour of refusing the plan.

Mr Peacock, who could appeal the decision, said he did not want to comment.

Source: Ilkeston Advertiser | 10 May 2013 | www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk

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