Revised wind turbine application refused by North Warwickshire Borough Council

Credit: By Bobby Bridge | Tamworth Herald | December 17, 2013 | www.tamworthherald.co.uk ~~

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A second attempt to build a wind turbine in rural North Warwickshire has been refused.

Poultry Farm in Green End Road, Fillongley, had an application for a 46 metre tall turbine turned down by the borough council’s planning board earlier this year.

But they were back again last night with revised plans shaving 11 metres off the height – a 23/24 per cent reduction – but it was unanimously rejected by councillors.

Photographs displayed the turbine being significantly hidden by trees and hedges – but it didn’t wash with members of the board.

“The trees could be pulled down, the hedges could be removed, then there is a direct view of the wind turbine,” said Councillor Mark Simpson (Curdworth). “This application would destroy this part of North Warwickshire.

“Providing electricity for 31 homes, I don’t know about you Mr Chairman, but that is a pretty pathetic special circumstance.”

He added: “We all know wind turbines are damaging to the countryside, members were shocked by the former application, and the impact it would have had on the area, we decided to protect a bit of rural England.”

Referring to the changes to the planning application, Cllr Dave Butcher (Polesworth West) said: “This is better, but it’s still bad.”

Councillor Tilly May (Newton Regis and Warton), said: “I’d like to echo the comments made by other councillors, North Warwickshire Borough Council values the greenbelt.

“One thing can destroy the landscape, it is confusing to the human eye to see something that is turning.”

David Green, from Maxstoke Parish Council, spoke at the meeting, urging councillors to reject the application on the grounds of its location and height.

Marie Stacey, an agent speaking on behalf of the applicant, explained the turbine’s “wider environmental benefits”, saying 50 per cent of the energy produced by the turbine will be used the farm, with the rest going back into the national grid.

Head of planning at the council, Jeff Brown, said there was a “significant difference” in the new plans to the previous application, and there was “no blanket ban on turbines in greenbelt”, adding “you cannot block this application because it is on greenbelt, you have to come up with a reason.”

Cllr Simpson, added: “Only the officer and the applicant are in support of this application, everyone else is against it.”

The application was unanimously refused by the board.

Source: By Bobby Bridge | Tamworth Herald | December 17, 2013 | www.tamworthherald.co.uk

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