October 22, 2013
England

Villagers celebrate as turbine plans thrown out

By Helen Machin | Tamworth Herald | October 21, 2013 | www.tamworthherald.co.uk

Villagers near Tamworth were celebrating this week after the secretary of state dismissed a scheme which would have seen a 79 metre wind turbine dominating the skyline.

One Wind Renewables wanted to erect the turbine on land at Elms Farm, Appleby Parva – where it would have been clearly visible from numerous surrounding villages.

But local MPs Christopher Pincher (Tamworth), Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) and David Tredinnick (Hinckley and Bosworth) all joined local residents in calling for the scheme to be thrown out.

Seven parish councils – Appleby Magna, Austrey, Newton Regis, Seckington,No Mans Heath, Twycross and Polesworth – also objected to the plans.

Hinckley and Bosworth planning officers refused the scheme, but the applicants appealed against the decision.

This week a planning inspector threw out the appeal, saying that the wind turbine would ‘significantly and unacceptably harm the character and appearance of a large area of predominantly sensitive countryside.’

The inspector said that the turbine would be seen as a ‘visually dominant feature’ from the M42 and the A444 as well as several villages.

Among those who fought against the application is Richard Meredith, Warton councillor and former mayor of North Warwickshire.

Richard is also the publicity officer for a local group set up to fight wind turbine plans in the area.

Richard said: “This is a dramatically important decision in this area as a ‘yes’ could well have been followed by eight turbines a mile away, each of 125 metres. Common sense has prevailed.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/22/villagers-celebrate-as-turbine-plans-thrown-out/