Mystery surrounds bid to build Shropshire turbine

The new 75-metre (246ft) turbine is planned for land off Ellesmere Road in Tetchill, near Ellesmere, and is expected to be able to generate up to 500KW of electricity – but that is all the applicants have said.

Officials at the InTech Clean Energy company which put forward the plans have not revealed any more details behind the project, and residents will have to wait until a public meeting on March 26 to find out more.

The news has been met with anger by members of Ellesmere Town Council, who described the plans as 'appalling' and urged those behind it to consult with residents before pressing ahead.

Councillor Anne Hartley, who represents Ellesmere on Shropshire Council, told a meeting of the town council on Monday that there was already a turbine in Tetchill and said the noise was 'horrendous'.

If approved, the turbine would have a 55-metre diameter and be 75 metres high to the tip of the blade, according to a letter sent to councillors by InTech.

Councillor Hartley said: "I think people should go to Tetchill and speak to the people about the one that is already there.

"The noise is horrendous – and that one is half the size of this one.

"I don't think it is appropriate, I think it is appalling."

Councillor Ian Ward said the size and location of the turbine could have a negative influence on the area.

In a letter to the town council as well as to Ellesmere Rural Parish Council and the area Local Joint Committee, Hans Georg Vollmer, CEO of InTech, said there would be a public consultation.

He said: "The project has already been presented to Tim Rogers, principal planning officer of Shropshire Council. We now would like to go on with public consultation. We are planning a public meeting in March to inform the public of this project."

A planning application has not been submitted and the public meeting is to be held at Ellesmere Town Hall on March 26, and InTech said more details would be released then.