Stone residents jubilant as wind turbines rejected

Credit: Written by Gail Atkinson | Staffordshire Newsletter | 08 November 2013 | www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk ~~

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Jubliant Stone residents are planning a party to celebrate after planners rejected plans for two 147-feet-high wind turbines.

Nearly 500 people signed a petition against the plans for Pingle Lane, Stone. Stafford Borough Council also received 121 letters of objection and residents held two public meetings.

MP Bill Cash also objected saying the proposals were not in residents’ interests.

The council’s planning committee voted overwhelmingly to thrown the plans out in spite of an officer recommendation to permit.

Planning officer Phil Atkins said: “It will be visible from significant parts of Stone and the surrounding countryside.”

Representing the objectors Carol Keogh told the committee: “The turbines will dominate the skyline to the same extent has a 15-storey block of flats. They will significantly change the Stone sky and landscape.”

Supporting the application James Mountain said: “The impact on visual amenity is considered to be minor. They are sited a sufficient distance from (houses).

“They are not considered to have a detrimental impact on the surrounding landscape.”

Speaking for ward councillor Joyce Farnham, Councillor Philip Jones said: “These are too big and too near. There’s plenty of land where these wind turbines could be placed. That is not an appropriate site for them.

“Is it any wonder the community have come together? There have been two public meetings, numerous letters sent into the council and a petition signed by nearly 500 people have been received by the council expressing their deep objec- tions to this.

“There has been no pre-application negotiation with the community.

The applicant said he hadn’t got the time. Could that be because the subsidy is to be reduced in five week’s time?”

Councillor Mike Winkle said: “The two turbines will have a detrimental effect on the landscape in Stone, being seen for miles around.”

Councillor Malcolm Millichap proposed the application be refused because of its visual impact on the countryside.

After the meeting Councillor Jones said: “I doubt there’s much prospect of success at appeal in view of the government’s guidelines.

“How amazing this community has been. They are now planning a celebratory party at Little Stoke Cricket Club.”

Source: Written by Gail Atkinson | Staffordshire Newsletter | 08 November 2013 | www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk

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