July 25, 2015
England

Fears raised over Leek wind turbine expansion plans

By Leslie Jackson | Leek Post & Times | July 24, 2015 | www.leek-news.co.uk

Fears have been raised that a wind turbine planned on the edge of Leek could be changed to a larger model.

Mark Pickford of Kniveden Farm, off Mount Road, wants a variation to replace the already approved turbine with a newer model.

Documentation submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) said: “The approved turbine model E-3120 has recently been updated to a newer model (E-4660) which is more efficient and is also significantly quieter.

“The applicant wishes to install the up-to-date model but wants to be certain that the planning permission is all correct legally to avoid any potential problems.”

Opponent Roger Carter told the Post & Times: “Way back in time an application was submitted for a turbine at Kniveden Farm, Mount Road, Leek, which was then rejected by SMDC.

“The applicant however appealed and the appeal subsequently was granted specifically for an E-3120 turbine.

“Now suddenly an application is posted for a drawing change to the application. Out with the E-3120 and in with an E-4600 drawing.

“This is a change from a 50kW turbine to an 85kW monster, where all things are bigger and heavier.

“A 50 per cent increase in swept area completely invalidates all the pretty pictures, plus an increase in potential noise for all the residents close by on the Pickwood Estate and the hospital.

“Installation of this revised turbine will also compromise any decisions about cumulative effects with other turbines in the local area and be clearly visible from The Roaches.”

A letter to planning officers from Andrew and Julie McGraw said: “We believe the proposed revised turbine is 70 per cent bigger than the original planning application. As residents of Moorland Road the larger and wider heavier blades will impact even greater on our houses which are within close proximity of the proposed site. The structure would be detrimental to our lives both visibly as it would be very prominent against the skyline especially in sunshine when the structure would appear bright white and acoustically when the blades are in motion.”

Another nearby resident, Linda Beighton, said: “While we already have turbines on the skyline some distance away this one will be placed literally on the very edge of town dominating houses not only in the Kniveden Lane, Mount Road and Ashbourne Road area but much wider afield. If you can see the communication mast you will certainly see the moving blades of the turbine.”