Plans scrapped for 101-metre high wind turbine near Oswestry

Renewables firm, Engena Limited, originally submitted plans for one wind turbine and 2,588 solar panels near Rhydycroesau.

But now company bosses behind Cefn-Y-Maes renewable energy park have removed the wind turbine aspect of the plans after the community claimed it would spoil the countryside.

A statement from the company said: "Since the submission of the environmental statement and consideration of consultees responses during the determination to date, the applicant deems it appropriate to remove the proposed turbine from the scheme."

Miles Hunter, owner of the Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel in Rhydycroesau, and Richard Connell, from the Oswestry Equestrian Centre, both raised objections to the plans and said the sound and visual impact of the wind turbine would damage their businesses.

Chairman of Oswestry Rural Parish Council, Robert Milton, welcomed the removal of the turbine but said the community still has concerns about access to the proposed site.

The plans also include building a temporary access track for the purpose of delivering materials to the energy park.

"A lot of people primarily objected to the wind turbine because of its dominance and our major concern as a council was the impact it would have on the area," he said. "It seems common sense has prevailed here and it's good that they have listened to our concerns but we would still echo what we have said previously.

"We still have concerns with the delivery vehicles and the amount of HGVs going to and from the site. If it was to go ahead, we'd need to make sure there is minimum disturbance for the community. However, this is a step in the right direction."

Highways officials have said they have no objection to constructing a temporary track – despite strong objection from the public.

A highways report said: "The removal of the wind turbine, while significant in terms of the removal of the abnormal load traffic associated with the delivery and erection of the structure, is not considered to significantly affect the consideration of the access track as a standalone proposal under this application.

"The access widening and construction of the temporary access track will in itself require a number of HGV movements. It is considered that the management of the construction traffic will be required and a condition is, therefore, a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) to be submitted and approved."

The CTMP must confirm how long the construction will take and suggest a scheme to rectify any damage caused during construction.