June 12, 2013
England

Uttoxeter wind turbine is set for appeal

BY JENNY MOODY | 12 June 2013 | www.uttoxeter-news.co.uk

The company behind a plans for a controversial wind turbine in Uttoxeter will appeal council chiefs decision to reject the proposals, it has been revealed.

Aggregates Industries took a blow earlier this year when Staffordshire County Council’s planning committee rejected plans for a 255ft (78m) wind turbine on Uttoxeter Quarry, in Spath, to cheers of joy from the public gallery.

However, now Dr Miles Watkins, Aggregates Industries director of sustainable construction, has revealed the company will appeal this decision, despite campaigners vowing to keep fighting the plans.

Dr Watkins said: “Over the past few weeks we’ve been working on our UK sustainability report.

“We’re the leading sustainable company in our field, and we’re really proud of the way that we’re using renewable power to bring down our carbon emissions across the UK.

“As a company we’ve won awards for our work not just protecting the environment but for looking after landscapes.”

He told The Advertiser that after taking everything into consideration, they still believe wind power is right for the Uttoxeter site.

Dr Watkins added: “We know from our previous application that there are many people in the area who were in favour of the application and who didn’t feel that their opinions were listened to.

“The Government is behind use of land-based wind as one of the most cost-efficient and proven forms of energy generation, and use of renewables could result in energy bills being £500 lower per household than if we continue to depend on traditional forms of generation.

“As a company, that matters to us. We support the construction of low-cost housing, we make our buildings materials as sustainable as we can, and we live and work in the area.

“We’re appealing because we didn’t think the way in which our application was rejected was right, and because we’d love for Uttoxeter to be part of the UK’s clean and affordable energy story.

“Throughout the appeal process, we’ll be listening to local people, and we’d very much welcome the chance to talk to anyone from the local community who wants to share their thoughts.”

However, David Bown, of the Uttoxeter Wind Turbine Action Group (UWTAG), has said campaigners against the turbine will continue to fight the plans, calling it a ‘misguided project’.

He said: “It is hard to believe that Aggregate Industries are still pursuing this misguided project.

“The Uttoxeter site was decided unanimously by the planning committee to be an unsuitable site for this turbine. It does not constitute sustainable development.

“This appeal comes despite a wave of opposition from over 1,000 residents and tourists, local councillors, our local MP, various official bodies and now in light of the Government announcements regarding onshore turbines over the last week.

“We will continue to fight this turbine.”

The council’s planning committee unanimously rejected the plans after hearing objections from people living near the proposed site and councillors.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/12/uttoxeter-wind-turbine-is-set-for-appeal/