November 8, 2015
England

Plans for turbine in the balance

By Karen Hambridge | The Hinckley Times | 7 Nov 2015 | www.hinckleytimes.net

An appeal decision is expected soon on plans to install a towering 308ft wind turbine on fields near Bagworth.

Hinckley and Bosworth planning committee members turned down the application last year following an outcry from locals.

AGR Renewables Ltd appealed the decision with written representations made to a Government inspector at the end of July.

The green energy company says the refusal goes against both European and UK commitments to increase the amount of electricity generated from sustainables sources.

It says the borough’s own renewable energy strategy seeks to ensure a 14% rise in the amount of ‘green’ electricity used by 2026, based on 2010 consumption levels, but so far only 1% is obtained from sustainable sources.

The site of the turbine is in green fields off Barlestone Road, just over half a mile from Bagworth and just over a mile from Nailstone.

The land is bounded by mature hedgerows and Underhills Wood, a plantation of young saplings planted as part of the National Forest scheme is located to the west of the site.

A row of electricity pylons runs roughly north to south near to the proposed siting of the turbine.

A bridleway runs east to west from the site entrance and the closest residential properties back onto the fields from Station Road, Bagworth, just over half a mile to the east, although new homes being built would be closer.

The area is not far from the Costalot and Good Friday gipsy and traveller sites.

When the submission went to planning both Bagworth and Thornton parish councils objected and some 69 letters of objection were received with issues raised such as proximity to homes, impact on the landscape and vista, traffic and transport concerns, likelihood of more turbines and it’s closeness to a children’s sports ground.

There were 15 letters of support.

In refusing the application, AGR Renewables was told the size, scale and position of the proposed turbine would make it detrimentally harmful to the landscape and visual character of the local area.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/11/08/plans-for-turbine-in-the-balance/