July 18, 2014
England

Residents face new fight over 130m wind turbine in Tamworth

By Elise Chamberlain | Tamworth Herald | July 18, 2014 | www.tamworthherald.co.uk

An appeal has been lodged following the rejection of plans to build a towering wind turbine in Dosthill, Tamworth.

Wienerberger Brick Works’ application to build a 130-metre turbine on its site in Rush Lane was thrown out by North Warwickshire Borough Council’s planning board in January.

Following the appeal being lodged on July 2, Tamworth residents now have less than three weeks to make their feelings about the appeal for proposals to be reconsidered known.

In a letter to his affected constituents, Tamworth MP Chris Pincher has written: “As you may be aware an appeal has been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate in respect of the installation of a 130m high wind turbine and associated infrastructure on the Wienerberger Brick Works site on Rush Lane, Dosthill.

“As you know I objected to this proposed wind turbine when it came before North Warwickshire Borough Council and I will do so again.

“I would encourage all residents to make their objections known by quoting the reference APP/R3705/A/14/2221091 and writing to The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN or by visiting www.planningportal.gov.uk/appeal.”

The original application detailed that the 130-metre tall turbine would be used to generate enough electricity to power the production of bricks at the site, with surplus energy going into the National Grid.

In a statement issued to the Herald following the original application, John Sandford, director for sustainability for Wienerberger Ltd said: “As a company Wienerberger has been adversely affected by the significant reductions in the market demand for clay bricks within the UK in recent years.

“However at Kingsbury, we took the decision in 2011 to invest and carry out major refurbishment works at the site. As part of this investment decision, we looked to review and significantly improve our energy performance at the site.

“Wind Direct has submitted a planning application to include a wind turbine adjacent to our factory.

“If successful, availability of electricity on a long term contract at predictable prices will significantly improve the future security of manufacturing operations at the Kingsbury site.

“It will also contribute towards our wider sustainability goal of generating on, or adjacent to, our sites more electricity than we require for our UK production activities.”

Anu Spratley, organiser of The Say No and Protest Action Group, which strongly opposed the original application, said she is “disappointed” that an appeal has been lodged.

“I can’t see that anything has changed, it’s still a 130-metre wind turbine and is going to be on elevated ground on agricultural land which would cause high visibility issues for the whole of Tamworth and the surrounding areas.

“I am opposed to this and will be making my comments known.”

Residents have until August 6 to make comments on the appeal.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/18/residents-face-new-fight-over-130m-wind-turbine-in-tamworth/