Plymouth golf club withdraws plans for 77-metre wind turbine

Credit: Plymouth Herald | July 06, 2015 | www.plymouthherald.co.uk ~~

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Plans to build a towering wind turbine overlooking Plympton have been withdrawn.

Boringdon Park Golf Club has been bidding to build the 77-metre turbine for more than a year in a bid to slash energy costs.

The Herald first revealed the plans in April 2014, noting how it would dwarf the Civic Centre in height if given the go-ahead.

The plan was thrown out by South Hams District Council bosses last year.

It followed concerns from English Heritage – now known as Historic England – that the turbine would cause “substantial harm” to the landscape in respect of the Grade I-listed Boringdon Arch and Grade II* Saltram House.

Plymouth City Council – which also had to consider the plans – received dozens of letters from local residents objecting to the wind turbine.

One man, from Plympton, labelled the turbine a “monstrosity” and said he was concerned about “a continuous drone 24/7”.

Now the planning application has been formally withdrawn by Boringdon owner Michael Davey.

Mr Davey previously said the move could save his business 80 per cent on its five-figure electricity bills, while also supplying energy to the national grid.

He said members of the golf club had been positive about the idea, especially as a “notably quiet” model of turbine had been selected.

Mr Davey said he did not see the turbine as a blot on the landscape.

“I think it comes down to individual preference,” he said. “To be honest, I did not like the old ones with two propellers. I didn’t think they looked very nice.

“Whereas these newer ones with three blades spin at low speeds. This one would have a speed limit of 24 revs a minute so it is a slow and gradual thing.”

After the plans were rejected by South Hams District Council, he added: “We might look for another location that is more suitable on the golf course, or even go down the solar panels route.

“We could lay down about 10 acres of those.

“I think the people of Plymouth were quite behind it. We had as many letters of support as we did against it.”

Source: Plymouth Herald | July 06, 2015 | www.plymouthherald.co.uk

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