May 16, 2014
England

Oxfordshire wind turbines on Adderbury farmland approved

BBC News | 16 May 2014 | www.bbc.co.uk

Plans have been approved for a pair of 35m (115ft) high wind turbines in rural Oxfordshire that objectors said would be a “blot on the landscape”.

The turbines, on farmland in Adderbury, would be 100m (328ft) apart and generate enough power for 125 homes.

They would contribute to the governments’ renewable energy targets, said Cherwell District Council.

The British Horse Society objected on safety grounds as the rotating blades may scare horses being ridden nearby.

‘Benefits outweigh harm’

The Conservative-run council’s planning committee approved the plans by Urban Wind on Thursday.

The three-bladed turbines will be south east of Quarry Farm yard, near Oxford Road.

Adderbury resident Mary Adams said: “This site would be observed by a good many people and would be a blot on our country landscape.”

Michael Badger, who owns the farm adjoining Quarry Farm, said the turbines would overlook his property and said any turbine noise would “impede on our privacy and cause disruption”.

Bob Duxbury from the council’s development control team said “any harm to the character or visual appearance of the landscape” would be “outweighed by the benefits of this scheme”.

The British Horse Society said the Adderbury area had lots of equestrian activity and that the turbines, near bridle paths, could pose “a very high risk to [riders’] safety.

The UK target is to produce 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020 to try to cut climate-warming emissions.

Mr Doxbury said even “small-scale projects” like these turbines were regarded as “a valuable contribution” to this target.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/16/oxfordshire-wind-turbines-on-adderbury-farmland-approved/