Fresh Shropshire turbine plan for former quarry

The 10-kilowatt turbine, which will be installed for training purposes, would be 16 metres high and has been earmarked for Lea Quarry, near Wenlock Edge.

Officials at Edge Renewables Ltd, who are behind the plans, originally wanted to use one turbine to train staff how to install a turbine, so the company could then supply turbines to other customers.

Plans for a second turbine, to produce electricity to power a plant, machinery and buildings involved in the production of biomass fuel, have been withdrawn.

Simon Lloyd-Jones, managing director of Edge Renewables Ltd, in a letter to the council, said the turbine would be primarily raised and lowered for about two business days a month.

Caroline Barr, of Bourton Manor, who is campaigning against the turbines, said: "The application for a wind turbine on Wenlock Edge is back on.

The wildlife needs to be protected as well as the landscape."

"I am sure that the majority of local people are unaware this application is resurfacing."

Edge Renewables was granted a permit to use the site to produce biomass fuel last year, despite rival plans from the National Trust to turn the area into a wildlife reserve.

The company uses the quarry to store wood, which is dried and chipped to produce biomass wood chip fuel, which is then supplied to its customers.

Edge Renewables, which will use 10 per cent of the quarry for its wood chipping operation, agreed at the time to spend £25,000 a year to restore other parts of the site.

Work to turn part of the former quarry into a natural habitat for wildlife started in October last year.

The firm removed the redundant quarry buildings and started landscaping work to reshape the area for insects and amphibians.