Fears wind turbines will blight north Shropshire landscape
Fears have been raised about the amount of protection parts of north Shropshire is getting from the growing number of wind turbine applications.
About 35 people attended a meeting in Cockshutt, near Ellesmere last night, where the environmental impact of turbines was discussed.
The meeting was called following an application submitted to Shropshire Council to build a 150ft (46m) turbine at Kenwick Lodge Farm, in Cockshutt.
If approved, it will be built just three miles away from a 150ft turbine at Shade Oak Stud in Bagley, near Ellesmere, which has been granted planning permission.
It will also be five miles from a 119ft (36m) turbine which is in operation at Winston Farm in Tetchill, near Ellesmere.
Some local people at the meeting raised fears of the visual impact of turbines and the noise they make. But others said the noise was minimal and they are less ugly than pylons.
One resident said: "As things go on is there anything to protect us from the high density of these things?
"If people in the village oppose them, they will be approved anyway. That's what it sounds like."
Reverend Stephen Harrop, who lives in Cockshutt, said: "I question who benefits from them. The local community don't seem to.
"We are more likely to be in favour of them if there is some benefits for the local community."
John Dickin, chairman of Cockshutt-cum-Petton Parish Council, which hosted the meeting, said: "If we approve one of these then we just open the door for others.
"If we start getting 10 to 15 of them in the parish then this will be too much.
"Some people have been asking me what is the gain? I haven't been able to answer that.
"A lot of people don't realise they are going up. What we want is for people to be kept in the loop.
"The next step will be for the council to have a meeting next Thursday when we will discuss it further."
Richard Adams, chartered surveyor and town planner who has experience with wind turbine applications, said: "Some turbines are more effective than others depending on the location.
"Noise is dependent on the size and type of machines. It is less than what environment people say is acceptable."
But he added: "I have seen some installations I would be concerned about."
The recent applications for turbines have led to fears from Brian Williams, Shropshire Councillor for The Meres, that north Shropshire is being turned into a giant wind farm.
