Agenda item

Land West Of Heather Lane Heather Lane Ravenstone Coalville Leicestershire LE67 2AH

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

Parish Councillor S Lunn, on behalf of Ravenstone with Snibston Parish Council, addressed the Committee. She advised Members that when the application had been discussed at the Parish Council, all Members expressed objection. She stated that the objections were that it would have a visual impact, it was too close to the school, which in turn would cause health issues for the children in attendance, that the site of the turbine did not take into consideration the habitat of birds and wildlife. She highlighted that the new development of Heather Lane would be only 700ms from the site with the guidance stating that it should be no less than 2000ms away. She expressed concern that the turbine would have no benefit to the village and felt that the village had suffered enough already.

Mr G Ensor, objector, addressed the Committee. He informed Members that it was felt that the application was not needed and that there was now enough onshore energy to meet the 2020 targets. He highlighted to Members that following new guidance that had been released on June 18^th development should only continue if planning consent had been given and therefore 200 schemes had been scrapped. He expressed to Members that villagers views had not been taken in to consideration, that the wildlife survey had not included migrating birds and that it was quite clear on balance the turbine was not needed.

Mr D Wheeler, agent, addressed the Committee. He advised Members that wind turbines were the cheapest form of energy and that with climate change all energy sources must be secured. He advised that the applicant had sited one near to the Severn Trent facility and that no residents had experienced issues from shadow flicker or noise and that the turbine could be seen from a distance. He informed Members that the local community would receive a direct benefit as the energy would be directed to the locals rather than being lost to the National Grid. He urged Members to send a message for the future generation and support the application.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration advised Members that as the application was already in the system prior to the Ministerial statement of 18^th June 2015, the application was to be considered under the transitional arrangements.

In response to a question from Councillor R Johnson, the Head of Planning and Regeneration advised Members that the woodland was approximately 500ms away.

Councillor M Specht felt that the turbine would be located near to new woodland not ancient like Holly Hayes. He expressed concerns that the applicant had not consulted with residents appropriately. He moved that the application be refused on the grounds of visual intrusion. It was seconded by Councillor J Legrys.

The Senior Planning Officer stated that the results from the consultation were contained within the Statement of Community Involvement submitted with the application. 

Councillor V Richichi stated that there was a turbine 20 yards from the new jubilee wood that could be seen from most of the district and highlighted that there were no objections from the National Forest.

Councillor D Everitt stated that the application should be permitted as there was a need to provide renewable energy for the future generations. He stated that technology would move on and turbines would be replaced by better alternatives in years to come. He urged Members to think of the future and permit.

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that there were several wind turbines in his ward and he had not yet received any complaints about them. He felt that they should be put up and that they were not a blot on the landscape.

Councillor D J Stevenson stated that he hated wind turbines, however he had not yet found a reason to refuse one.

The motion to refuse the application was put to the vote and LOST

The officer’s recommendation was put to the vote

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.