Bradford Estate turbines plan fails to win Telford support
Plans for six massive wind turbines, which would be among the tallest in the country if built on an estate on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, have failed to win the support of council officers in Telford.
Plans for six massive wind turbines, which would be among the tallest in the country if built on an estate on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, have failed to win the support of council officers in Telford.
The application to South Staffordshire County Council is for six new turbines, each of which would be 413ft (126m) tall, within the grounds of the Bradford Estate.
Estate chiefs have lodged the plans for the turbines which would be two-and-a-half times the height of Nelson's Column in London.
Wind Prospect, which has submitted the proposal on behalf of the Bradford Estate, has said electricity generated from the turbines would be fed into the local distribution network for use in Shropshire and would provide power for more than 6,000 homes.
The controversial proposals have already sparked anger from neighbours who claim the turbines would ruin the landscape.
As part of South Staffordshire County Council's consultation, Telford & Wrekin Council has been asked to give its view on the turbines, which would be seen from The Wrekin.
A report to Telford & Wrekin Council plans board, which will meet on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, says: "The proposal will have an unacceptable adverse effect on the landscape of Telford and Wrekin."
Referring to two viewpoints in the county, the report adds: "Kynnersley is within an area of spacial landscape and The Wrekin hill is within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, both of which are protected from the effects of inappropriate development."
Wind Prospect said residents had been consulted and the project would include an annual contribution of £24,000 to a Community Trust Fund, which would be established to support community projects in the area.
Paul Grimshaw, development manager at Wind Prospect Developments Limited, said the project had been subject to detailed Environmental Impact Studies, which concluded the site was suitable for a wind farm of this scale.
But Tony Lendon, chairman of the Stop Turbine Action Group based in Church Eaton, said: "I haven't come across a single person who thinks this is a good idea. It's great news that Telford & Wrekin Council are recommending refusal."
By Jason Lavan
