Planners back bid for 50m-high wind turbine
Controversial plans to create a 50 metre-high wind turbine in the Shropshire countryside have been recommended for approval – despite fears of the impact it will have on residents.
An application to build the 60kW turbine at Oaklands Farm in Bagley, near Ellesmere, has been supported by Shropshire Council planning officers ahead of a key meeting at Edinburgh House in Wem next week.
If approved, the wind turbine will be installed on agricultural land and is expected to produce 175,000kW of energy per year to power the site.
But Hordley Parish Council has objected to the scheme after claiming the planned site is too close to existing properties and has recommended it be situated nearer the farm.
Shropshire Council has also been contacted by local residents who are concerned the turbine would be visible from their homes.
The plans, which have been recommended for approval by planners, will be discussed at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee in Wem on Tuesday.
The turbine would have a hub height of just over 38 metres and almost 50 metres to the tip of the blade.
A report sent to Shropshire Council on behalf of the applicant said the turbine would reduce the farm's emissions of carbon dioxide by about 100 tonnes each year.
It said: "It is intended to locate the turbine towards the west of the field to protect the views from neighbouring properties and surrounding area as far as possible, while at the same time ensuring their productivity will not be impaired.
"The applicant has carried out a programme of local consultation with both the chairman of the parish council and the residents of properties that might be affected by the proposal."
Tuesday's meeting will start at 2pm.
