Wind farm judgement

Audlem Online now has the judgement by the Inspector from the Woore Inquiry into the proposed wind farm near Knighton. We reported yesterday afternoon, as news first came through, that Nuon (UK) Ltd's appeal to build 7 110m-high turbines had been turned down.

The judgement is lengthy but Mr T Cookson's key conclusion as Inspector was:

“I accept that the proposed wind farm would make a contribution towards the
overall supply of renewable energy, and contribute towards the regional target. However, with regard to Appeal A*, in terms of appearance in this setting the turbines would be seen as large, alien features in their surroundings.

In terms of the effect on residential amenity, the residents of College Fields Cottages, Dorrington Hall, Dorrington Hall Farm and The Grove would experience a marked and unacceptable reduction in their amenity. As the effect on listed buildings and conservation areas, I consider that only the setting of Bellaport Old Hall, within the appeal site, would suffer a detrimental effect as a result of the development. ”

*There were two appeals – one against North Shropshire District Council's, now Shropshire County Council, decision to reject Nuon's planning application in September 2008 to build the turbines. The second was against Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council's earlier decision to refuse planning for an access road to the site, which was very near to the boundary between the two authorities.

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