Turbine plan to be thrown out

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Tuesday, 29 January 2019 07:17

By Andrew Morris - Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for a wind turbine on a farm in Shropshire look set to be thrown out due to new government guidelines.

An application for the 23.8m turbine, with a 31.6m blade tip, are due to be discussed by Shropshire Council’s North Planning Committee next week.

The proposal is for Sandy Lane Farm in Prees, near Whitchurch.

And although no objections have been lodged and planning officers have not identified any potential problems, government policy means it has been recommended for refusal.

In his report to the committee, planning officer Kelvin Hall says: “The proposed development would provide benefits including the generation of renewable energy for the farm and a reduction in the use of non-renewable sources of energy.

“Notwithstanding these benefits, SAMDev Plan policy MD8 of the adopted Development Plan states that applications for wind energy development are to be assessed against national policy guidance.

“The NPPF states, at footnote 49 to paragraph 154, that proposals for wind energy development should not be considered acceptable unless they are in an area identified as suitable for wind energy development in the Development Plan.

“As at present the Development Plan does not identify such areas, the proposed development is not considered to be acceptable.”

It adds: “Sandy Lane Farm is located approximately 1.5km to the south of the village of Prees.

“The turbine would be sited towards the eastern side of a field, approximately 400 metres to the south-west of the farm buildings.

“There is a tree-lined stream that runs approximately north-south approximately 70 metres to the east and a wooded area approximately 80 metres to the south-east.

“There are a number of public footpaths in the area.”

No objections have been received from the local councils or members of the public, indeed one letter of support has been sent to the council for the application.

The planning meeting will be held at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, next Tuesday.

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