July 4, 2013
England

Turbines ‘blight on value of properties’

Yorkshire Post | 4 July 2013 | www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Residents have submitted a long list of objections to plans for two small-scale wind turbines in a rural area of Calderdale.

People living near Dean End Farm, off Forest Hill Road at Sowood, near Stainland, say the structures, proposed for a nearby field, will spoil the “visual aesthetics of this fantastic countryside” and alter the character of the landscape.

Others said the proposed turbines will be too close to homes and will be “alien structures in the rural environment”.

Objectors have expressed fears about property values being blighted, as well as the potential for the turbines to fail and damage neighbouring properties.

Thirteen people have objected to the scheme.

But Calderdale Council planning officers are recommending that the turbines, which will stand 15m to the hub, should be given planning permission at a meeting of the planning commitee.

A council report says that the impact to the openness of the countryside is “not significant”, in part because the proposed structures are defined as “very small turbines”.

Geoff Willerton, head of planning, concludes the importance of encouraging renewable energy is a key consideration.

“It is considered that on balance the limited harm to the openness of the Green Belt, which is minimised by existing planting and urban features within the landscape, is outweighed by the environmental benefits of the proposal with respect of the production of renewable energy.

“It is concluded that the benefits of the additional energy produced from the introduction of the proposed wind turbine at this location outweighs the detrimental effects arising from the impact on the openness and character of the Green Belt and as such there are very special circumstances that justify the grant of permission.”

The plans will be discussed by councillors at Halifax Town Hall on July 9.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/04/turbines-blight-on-value-of-properties/