Villagers to debate Adderley farm turbine plan

A public meeting will be held in Adderley, near Market Drayton, after plans were unveiled for a new wind turbine on nearby farmland.

People in the village will hold the meeting today from 7.30pm in the village hall.

It comes after Stephen Cope applied to Shropshire Council for planning permission to create the 55kw turbine on land at Bawhill Farm, Adderley.

It would stand 46 metres tall to the blade tip on agricultural land and is classed as a small micro-generation turbine.

The applicants want to use the energy generated by the turbine to slash their fuel bills by supplying eco-friendly renewable electricity to the farm and farmhouse.

But residents have raised fears over visual impact and potential harm to wildlife in the surrounding area.

The applicants insist the scheme is of a suitable scale for the location and would not create noise problems for neighbours.

Resident Paul Shepley, who will chair the meeting, said: "The meeting is to understand more about the permanent change to the landscape and the impact such a dominant, alien structure would have on everyone who enjoys this part of the countryside.

"The proposed tower would be almost as tall as Nelson's Column and be taller than the highest tower in Shropshire – Lord Hill's column."

The application is the latest in a string of similar proposed developments at farms across north Shropshire.

Shropshire Council is aiming to decide the application by mid-December.

By Tom Johannsen