Planners raise no objection to farm

A controversial proposal for a wind farm on the south Shropshire border has received no objections in principle from council planners.

Officers at Shropshire County Council raised no objections to the proposed wind farm site at Reeves Hill near Knighton providing there is not an unacceptable level of harm to the aims and purposes of the AONB in Shropshire.

Four turbines are proposed on the site which would be set at intervals of 450 to 460 metres.

The planning committee paper suggested that prior to the decision being made by Herefordshire Council there should be a comprehensive visual assessment of the proposals including Stowe Hill and the Offa's Dyke Ancient Monument.

Planners also asked that further consideration be given on how the development may affect biodiversity in Shropshire, such as bats and some bird species.

Four turbines are proposed on the site which would be set at intervals of 450 to 460 metres.

Each turbine would have an overall height of up to 105 metres with a hub height of between 64 and 69 metres and a blade length of between 35 and 40 metres.

The applicant states that the wind farm would have a total generating capacity of 9.2 megawatts which would be equivalent to the energy requirements of 5,144 homes.

A number of discussions have been held in surrounding parishes.