June 28, 2013
England

Fears over plan for a third Bridgnorth wind turbine

Shropshire Star | 28 June 2013 | www.shropshirestar.com

Fears have been raised that Bridgnorth could become the windfarm capital of the country after another application for a wind turbine was submitted.

A campaigner has spoken of his shock and “grave concern” after a planning application was submitted for an 86.5 metre wind turbine at Hills Farm, The Down, in Ditton Priors.

It follows on from a project for a neighbouring wind farm of two 80m turbines near Upton Cressett, which is currently pending consideration.

Tim Morris, who lives at Underton, who is already a member of the Stop Bridgnorth Wind Farm group, said he feared if both planning applications were approved it would lead to three significant industrial sized structures dominating the landscape west of Bridgnorth.

The latest plans have been submitted by Entrust Planning Consultants, based in Daresbury in Cheshire.

The company said the main purpose of the wind turbine would be to reduce the carbon footprint of an existing farm business, while diversifying its income in a more sustainable manner.

Mr Morris, who lives at Underton, said unless the plans were refused by the council, residents’ lives would be severely affected, as some homes were less than 650m from the sites.

He said: “We are already up against an application near Upton Cressett for two towering turbines on the Jack Mytton Way and have grave concerns that this further application is starting a spread of industrial windfarms which will extend across Shropshire.

“This is a beautiful, tranquil and unspoilt area of Shropshire, next to landscape and buildings of national importance, and many of us are hugely worried that its unique identity will be lost forever at the cost not only to the nearby residents but everyone living in the county.

“Furthermore it is enjoyed by ramblers, cyclists and horse riders, and I am concerned that many of them won’t return if the turbines are built.

“Stop Bridgnorth Wind Farm is a group of united residents who came together to fight the Upton Cressett plans because they object to the two turbines there being inappropriately sited close to homes and Shropshire’s historic assets.”

In a report to Shropshire Council, Entrust said the development would allow Hills Farm to produce wind energy, to help meet energy requirements and to make the business more resilient to energy price rises, while developing sustainable production methods.

A planning application by Crida Wind Co-operative has been submitted for two turbines in Upton Cressett.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/28/fears-over-plan-for-a-third-bridgnorth-wind-turbine/