February 24, 2014
England

Ipswich: Concern over information about turbine planned for Pannington Hall Farm, Wherstead

Paul Geater | East Anglian Daily Times | February 24, 2014 | www.eadt.co.uk

Ipswich Council is not expected to give its backing to a proposed giant wind turbine on the edge of the town because it does not have enough information about its impact on homes in the town.

The borough’s planning and development committee is due to discuss the issue tomorrow – but it cannot make the final planning decision because the turbine would be set up a Pannington Hall Farm, Wherstead, which is in the neighbouring Babergh district.

The borough is, however, a consultee and has been asked for its opinion on the controversial development.

Officers are recommending that borough councillors should tell Babergh they are not able to recommend approval because there is insufficient information about the visual impact of the turbine on homes in the town.

The 130-metre high turbine could be seen from across much of southern Ipswich, and there are fears that the size of the blades could cause serious “flicker” issues for some residents.

The turbine would be clearly visible from four out of six viewpoints identified across the south of the town.

The report to the committee says: “It is clear that there will be large areas of South Ipswich that will see the mast on a permanent basis during its 25 year lifetime.

“It is not clear whether there is any mitigation that could be provided – it is unlikely given the height of the mast and its location in open countryside with valleys and peaks.

“There is a lack of visual aids accompanying the environmental statement and it is therefore difficult to envisage what exactly these views for residents will be.

“As such, it has to be considered for the amenity of residents of Ipswich Borough that IBC do not support the installation of the wind turbine at this time.”

The report makes it clear that the borough is in favour of wind turbines in principal but wants to ensure they do not adversely affect residents.

The turbine has been proposed by Partnerships for Renewables, which dropped plans for a second turbine to be built on borough-owned land at Belstead last year.

No one from Partnerships for Renewables was available to comment on the borough’s latest concerns.

The proposal has prompted a storm of protest from residents in Belstead, Wherstead and Ipswich – last month there was a protest meeting to discuss how to press home the opposition to the turbine.

The Application to build the turbine was formally lodged with Babergh council at the end of last year and it is currently going through a consultation period.

The application is expected to be decided by Babergh councillors later this year.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/02/24/ipswich-concern-over-information-about-turbine-planned-for-pannington-hall-farm-wherstead/