May 6, 2014
England

Council rejects Peters Marland wind turbine

Andy Keeble | North Devon Gazette | Tuesday, May 6, 2014 | www.northdevongazette.co.uk

Wind farm opponents have hailed a decision to refuse planning permission for a wind turbine at Peters Marland, near Torrington.

Torridge District Council rejected plans for the single 77-metre-high 500kW turbine due to its scale, location and cumulative impact on the landscape.

The council also raised concern about potential harm to local heritage sites, including the Grade II listed Peters Marland Parish Church.

It was felt that the proposals by applicant Murex Energy for land at Eastwood Farm would have had a dominant impact on views from the village.

It is unclear whether the decision will be appealed by the applicant.

A report by Kate Little, the council’s head of strategic development and planning, said: “The height and proximity would have unacceptable and overbearing impact on neighbouring properties.

“Insufficient information is provided about predicted noise levels, background noise levels and shadow flicker.”

Peters Marland and Shebbear parish councils had already objected to the proposals, fearing the area would become a ‘wind turbine landscape’.

A parish council poll, which accounted for 80 per cent of adult parishioners, found 74 per cent (93) against and 10 per cent (13) in favour of the turbine. Of those asked, 15 per cent (19) were undecided.

Consent has already been granted for six similar sized turbines on various sites at nearby Shebbear and Stibbs Cross.

Planning permission is being sought for a further 77-metre-high turbine at Shebbear, while a 34-metre-high turbine at Frithlestock is already in operation.

Penny Mills, chairman of the Torridge branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said: “There was overwhelming opposition to it from the local community, it would have been situated far too close to people’s homes and the noise and visual impact would have been completely unacceptable.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/06/council-rejects-peters-marland-wind-turbine/