Agenda item

Land Off Farm Town Lane Farm Town Coleorton

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

The Planning and Development Team Manager read out a letter of objection that had been received from Andrew Bridgen MP.

Mr M Akroyd, objector, addressed the Committee. He advised Members that he was speaking on behalf of the Farm Town Residents Committee and that their feelings were the same as before. He stated that the scale and height of the turbines would have a detrimental impact on the area, and that the noise and vibration would have a detrimental impact on residents health. He expressed concerns that the applicant had not met with residents and that the applicant had total disregard for them. He added that the turbines would not be beneficial or sensitive to the area and that the residents, Parish Council and the MP were all against the application.

Mr D Wheeler, supporter addressed the Committee. He advised that the nearest neighbour to the site was 830 metres away from the proposed site and that through consultation it had been agreed to make a financial contribution towards the repair of the boundary wall at St. Johns Chapel. He informed the Committee that the demand for all energy had tripled since the 1950s and that onshore wind turbines were more sustainable than the offshore ones. He added that the turbines had always been part of electricity plans as the population continued to rise.

 Councillor T Neilson stated that the application would make a welcome contribution to the country’s energy supply and that the turbines would not have a significant impact on the landscape and that sometimes the turbines could add character to the landscape. He reminded Members that the Lounge site had been permitted at appeal. He moved the officer’s recommendation.

Councillor D Everitt seconded the recommendation. He stated that he welcomed the production of any natural power and that the Committee could contribute towards future generations. He added that wind turbines could be short lived as technology was constantly changing.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was supporting the application and that the wind turbines would not have that much of an impact on the landscape. He expressed that he shared his colleagues’ views on alternative energy and that he preferred turbines over the prospect of fracking.

Councillor G Jones stated that he was mindful of what had been said, however there had been a turbine installed in his ward and he had not received any complaints from residents over the noise. He added that he was pleased to see the contribution to the church and that it would be a local company installing the turbine.

Councillor M Specht stated that turbines were more meritable than pylons, however the turbines would still have an impact on the visual integrity of the National Forest. He added that the need for renewable energy did not trump local concern. He added that a different inspector had turned down an application for a wind turbine in Appleby Parva and moved that the application be refused on the grounds of policy E3, E4 and E7. This was seconded by Councillor J Cotterill.

Councillor J  G Coxon expressed his support of the views of the locals, Ashby Town Council and Andrew Bridgen MP. He felt that the turbines would be visually intrusive and that the residents should not have to put up with them.

Councillor D J Stevenson stated that he did not like wind turbines, however he could not see how the Committee could refuse the application.

The motion to permit the application in accordance with the officer’s recommendation was put to the vote and it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Director of Services.

Having declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary interest in the item, Councillor R Johnson left the meeting.