September 1, 2013
England

Bramshall action group oppose Loxley turbine

Written by JOANNA CRAIG | 01 September 2013 | www.uttoxeter-news.co.uk

Following the rejection of a wind turbine planning application for Bramshall, the action group who objected to the proposals will now campaign against a new turbine proposal by the same developer for a site in Lower Loxley.

The Bramshall Against Turbines action group took in excess of 1,000 objections to the planning committee yesterday, launching their campaign against the new proposals. The group also suggested that the developer has ‘disregarded’ community opinion.

The proposed wind turbine would stand at 74-metres tall, in land south of Carry Lane, Lower Loxley.

Hallmark Power Limited, the developers behind both applications, consider the site suitable and sustainable for purpose; however the Bramshall Against Turbines action group have voiced their concerns that developers are ‘oblivious’ to the voice of the local community.

Stephen Bate, developer for Hallmark Power Limited said: “We’ve done a lot of research on the site and consider it a good site for the turbine in terms of wind speed.

“It’s a sustainable energy site.

“Local residents of course have the right to take their objections to the planning office for the final decision to be made.

“It’s possible that some of the concerns aren’t strictly planning matters – for instance the concerns that house prices could be affected in the area, this isn’t a material planning consideration.”

Anne Francis, a member of the Bramshall Against Turbines action group, said: “Bramshall Against Turbines would like to thank all those who helped us vocalise our campaign against the application for a 74-metre wind turbine in Bramshall.

“We are very pleased that the application has been refused, however we are disconcerted that the same developer, Hallmark Power, have made another application just 800 metres away from the previous site.

“We feel they have disregarded community feeling in going ahead with a second turbine application.

“We put up a significant opposition to the Bramshall turbine, which we think they should have taken into account.

“Our main reasons for opposing this new turbine are that it would affect the same group of people as before.

“The developers provided no opportunity for us to speak with them about the proposal or to take the views of the community into consideration.

“We will be opposing the new application with the same vigour.

“Many in the villages and the surroundings are against the proposals; including those in Loxley, Bramshall and Kingstone.

“Our main concerns with turbines in the area haven’t changed.

“Until the date has passed, we will not know whether the decision by the planning authority has been appealed or not, so there is still the possibility that the developers may appeal.

“We feel they are oblivious to the community wishes.

“We’d like to invite anyone who wishes to support us and get involved to visit the website at www.bramshallagainstturbines.org.uk for further information and updates about how they can take action.”

The full details of the Lower Loxley wind turbine planning application can be found online at www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk with the reference P/2013/00934.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/01/bramshall-action-group-oppose-loxley-turbine/