Shrewsbury windfarm in doubt as landowners pull out

Plans for a controversial £22 million windfarm in Shropshire have been thrown into doubt after two landowners withdrew permission to locate the turbines on their land.

Residents living between the villages of Worthen and Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, are fighting a planning application by EDF Energy Renewables to build eight 127ft high wind turbines on land at Aston Brook.

The giant turbines have been planned to go across four farms in the Rea Valley.

The energy giant has already submitted a bid for a test mast on the site, with full plans expected to be lodged by the end of 2012.

But following intense public pressure, two of the four landowners who had agreed to have the turbines on their land, have decided to withdraw their support.

David Smith, from Worthen Hall Farm, and Aubrey Jones, from Aston Hall Farm, said the plans were causing division in the community.

In a joint statement they said: "We have now decided not to allow our land to be used for this development.

"While we consider EDF's plan for eight two megawatt turbines in the Rea Valley would have produced renewable energy to have met local needs in this part of Shropshire, we recognise that the proposal was causing division within the community which we love and in which we live."

A spokesperson for EDF Energy Renewables said they would be reviewing the scheme in light of the latest development.

He said: "Our initial announcement made it clear that we were considering a windfarm scheme for the Aston Brook site and that all aspects of the project were being considered.

"This remains the case and we are reviewing the scheme in the light of recent landowner decisions. Our proposals for the site continue to be developed."

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said: "I shall be meeting EDF Energy Renewables in the House of Commons shortly and will seek to confirm their intentions."

See also:

• Villagers fight plan for £22m windfarm

• Letter: Fury over wind turbine proposals