Turbine objectors are facing defeat

Controversial plans to build seven giant wind turbines near Market Drayton could be approved next week, despite thousands of objections from angry neighbours.A report to go before members of North Shropshire District Council's development control committee recommends approval for the wind turbines at Lower Farm, Bearstone, which will each be 110m in height.

The advice from council planning officers comes after more than 2,000 letters of objection flooded into the district council, and just five letters of support.

Parish councils have also objected to the plans for energy firm Nuon Renewables, as well as North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, who said the windfarm would devalue properties, ruin the landscape and endanger the lives of trainee pilots from RAF Shawbury, who would have to avoid the wind turbines.

The Vortex group (Veto on Rural Turbine Expansion) also objected to the plans. Members now say they will turn out in force at the planning meeting on September 2.

Vortex co-ordinator Terry May said she hoped several hundred members of the group would turn out for the meeting.

She said the group would be flying a blimp balloon near the site at 110m on the day of the meeting, to demonstrate how tall the wind turbines would be.

"It's very disappointing. But we will still try to persuade the councillors to turn it down," she said.

"There's so many things that are wrong. It goes against a large number of rules in the local plan. It's not in the right location. It's far too big for the area."

She added: "It's going to significantly affect the visual impact on the landscape of the area.

"We shall be very peaceful, but we plan to have as many people there as possible. We will make our point by showing the planning authority exactly the strength of feeling of the locals.

"We have well over 1,000 members and we will ask them all to be there if they can make it."

The officers' report states the windfarm complies with national policy for the development of renewable energy.

It says: "The landscape impacts are localised in nature and this impact is not considered to be sufficient to outweigh the need for renewable energy generation, which is of regional and national importance."

The planning meeting takes place from 7pm at the Grove School in Market Drayton.

By Abigail Bates