Move to install wind turbine at Sweeney Mountain

An 89ft tall wind turbine could be installed at the foot of the picturesque Sweeney Mountain in Shropshire.

Plans have been lodged with Shropshire Council for the wind turbine at Lower Sweeney Farm, near Oswestry. If the plans are approved the turbine, which would also include a control box, would be taller than Flounders' Folly tower on Callow Hill near Ludlow.

The applicant wants to use the wind turbine to create electricity to help reduce imported electricity to the farm.

It is hoped this will reduce costs, support diversification activities of the business and help the farm become more environmentally friendly.

A design and access statement lodged with the plans says: "The applicant supports efforts to address and seek solutions to climate change and global warming and is therefore making a personal effort to contribute to national requirements for clean, disaggregated renewable energy generation."

But there have been a number of objections against the installation.

Resident Brenda Hill wrote to Shropshire Council stating the turbine would be too close to her home and would have a 'devastating effect on the value of our property' leaving it 'worthless and unsaleable'.

She added: "As Sweeney Mountain is considered by the local council to be a beauty spot we are surprised that any consideration is being given to this application."

Other comments said it was 'totally wrong', 'inappropriate' and a suggestion that 'wind turbines are a menace to birds and bats'.

But the application says the location for the turbine had been chosen to be balanced between 'ensuring it is not close to trees or other sources of wildlife while being able to use as much energy as it can'.

The application will be discussed by Oswestry Rural Parish Council meeting on Tuesday at 7pm. Shropshire Council will make the final decision.