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Fury at turbine scheme
Wind turbine
The Ministry of Defence and Bowland Forest Gliding Club are among those adding weight to oppose proposals for a CF 50KW wind turbine, 39.65m high from the blade to the tip, on land at Handlesteads Farm on Collins Hill Lane.
A group of residents has also formed an action group to fight the application and a former north west tourism officer warned the turbine would “desecrate the Bowland Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.
Ribble Valley Council has also confirmed it will not be making any decision on the controversial application until at least November 7, so people wishing to comment have until then to do so.
Simon Hulme, a Chipping resident, confirmed around 20 people had now come together to form an action group following an appeal in last week’s Longridge News.
He said: “We want to ensure everyone is fully communicated in the current status of the proposals and to ensure we have a forum of people to share guidance on the best way to submit objections. It is clear many local residents and other concerned people were completely unaware of the plan. They are appreciative of our efforts to ensure people know the facts, and are astonished a plan for such a large turbine could even be considered in such a sensitive area.”
He says he and his wife Sarah have also been in contact with organisations including the RSPB, Lancashire County Council, the Campaign For Protection Of Rural England (CPRE) and other environmentally concerned entities.
“Many are expressing concern about the location and size of this proposal, and are composing responses.
“Our MP Nigel Evans is also taking a keen interest in this application, especially since he is president of the CPRE,” he said.
“There is surprise from many people at the position being taken by Chipping Parish Council. We have talked to them and they have explained their position is being directed by the Parish Plan, and therefore they are not in a position to object to the proposal, as it is not visible directly from the village.”
The MoD states the turbine would “cause unacceptable interference to the air traffic control radar at RAF Warton” and glider club chairman, Bob Pettifer said they had objected because the turbine would be in the way of one of the main directions for landing.
He said: “When the wind is from the west our approach is directly over the proposed site of the turbine. So, therefore, if someone is coming back low it would obviously be an obstacle.”
Planning agent Julia Pye says her client Anthony Rogerson had carefully considered wind energy prior to applying for the turbine.
“This turbine is a significant investment on Mr Rogerson’s part in terms of monetary value and commitment to providing electricity from a sustainable source and is not purely for financial gain.
“This turbine will be sited against the back drop of an established mature tree line which will help to screen the turbine from the south without causing any detrimental impact to the trees nor to the turbine as the turbine has to be sited 50m away from trees to make full use of the prevailing winds.
“It should also be noted the turbine will be grey in colour and not white, which will also help to reduce its impact on the surrounding area.
“Farmers are under increasing pressure not only to be sustainable, but also cost efficient. The turbine will ensure he goes a long way in reducing his overheads on the farm and will be able to take all his electricity from the turbine to run his farm and house but also allow him extra income on the farm as part of a diversification project.
“Without farmers in the countryside and especially in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the scenery would be increasingly different. Without the input from the farming community we would not have an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
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Weather for Longridge
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
