Appeal is launched over Shropshire turbine plan refusal

Developers Seven Sisters believe Shropshire Council was "unjustified" in turning down a bid for a 327ft (99.7-metre) turbine in Tetchill, near Ellesmere.

The proposal had attracted 200 objections from members of the public amid fears it would distract motorists and harm nearby heritage buildings. The plans were refused by planning officers at Shropshire Council in November and at the time the decision was greeted with relief by people living in Ellesmere.

In its appeal statement, planners said Shropshire Council was "unjustified" in its decision to refuse permission for the proposed turbine and denied claims that it would have a "detrimental impact" on the character of the countryside. It added that it also disagreed that the plans would harm nearby heritage buildings.

The decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate at a future date.

Campaigners face a fresh battle against hopes to build a huge wind turbine in the Shropshire countryside after developers appealed the decision to refuse it.

Plans to install a 327 ft (99.7m) turbine in Tetchill, near Ellesmere were turned down by planning inspectors last year after hundreds of people campaigned against the idea.

But developers Seven Sisters have submitted appealed to see the decision overturned.

In its appeal statement, planners said Shropshire Council was "unjustified" in its decision to refuse permission for the proposed turbine and denied claims that it would have a "detrimental impact" on the character of the countryside.

It added that it also disagreed that the plans would harm nearby heritage buildings.

It said: "It is clear that there is some dispute between the Council and the appellant over the degree of harm to the landscape and to what degree the benefits of the scheme would outweigh this harm."

Planning officers refused the application, which had attracted about 200 objections, saying the impact on the surrounding area would outweigh any benefits.

And the decision came as a relief to residents in Ellesmere who feared that the turbine in Tetchill would have been a distraction for motorists travelling on the A495 which has witnessed several fatal accidents over the last few years.

Mayor of Ellesmere Town Council said: "I object to it very very strongly, just as I did when it was first put forward.

"There is no advantage to Ellesmere and there is nothing to gain for the town, it would just be supplying electricity for the business.

"My biggest worry is where it is sat next to the main road, we have had several fatalities along that road and it would be another distraction.

"Of course it is also an eyesore – it will be seen for miles around.

"We are fighting all the time to preserve the beauty and integrity of the Mere but the surrounding areas are equally important and it is essential that we maintain the natural ambiance."

Some called the plans "ludicrous" and said that they would deter tourists from the area while others felt the plans submitted by the Williams family, which runs Seven Sisters were "selfish".

The Williams family, which runs farming business, has been in the area since 1957 and supplies cattle to Sainsbury's supermarkets.

As part of its business the family wants to reduce its carbon footprint – the wind turbine could produe about 1,400MWh per year which is enough to power about 280 homes.

The decision will now be made by the planning inspectorate.