Application refused by Shropshire Council

The application (reference 15/00532/FUL) for one 77m wind turbine at Meadowley Upton Cressett has been REFUSED by Shropshire Council using delegated powers. We had expected the application to be considered by South Shropshire Planning Committee on 14 July 2015. (Note:  This was a modified application for one turbine east of the Jack Mytton Way not two turbines as set out in the application of 2013. Whilst the deletion of one turbine is welcomed unfortunately the turbine proposed was on the T1 site which is the most prominent and the height at 77m to tip is similar to the previous height so the damage to the landscape and impact on homes and heritage remains high).

 The planning officer’s report concludes that:

“ The scale and location of the proposed 77m high wind turbine would have an unacceptably adverse effect on the setting of the nationally significant group of heritage assets at Upton Cressett Hall, on the character and scenic quality of the local landscape and on local amenities and leisure and tourism interests, including equestrian use of the Jack Mytton Way. This would be contrary to the objectives of Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies CS5, CS6, CS8, CS16, CS17 and paragraphs 14, 17(point 7), 28, 126, 131, 132, and 134 of the National Planning Policy Framework”

This is great news. We now await an announcement from CRIDA and Sharenergy.  Should they decide to appeal against the Council decision, which they are entitled to do, we will of course respond robustly.

Many thanks to everyone for submitting objections and articulating their concerns so that the councillors and planning officers were clear that the community does not want this turbine.

Second Parish Council Objects to Resubmitted 250 foot Wind Turbine at Upton Cressett

Another parish council has decided to object to a plan to erect a wind turbine west of Bridgnorth near Upton Cressett Hall. At an extraordinary meeting of Morville Parish Council held on Monday evening (30/3), councillors agreed to object to the resubmission of a planning application for a 77m wind turbine at Criddon Hall Farm, Upton Cressett. Chetton Parish Council also objected to the application at an extraordinary meeting last week.

The meeting at Morville was attended by around 80 members of the local community. Tim Morris who represented parishioners objecting to the turbine said it “would devastate the landscape and significantly impact 74 homes within 2km of the turbine site”.  Leila Sharman of Sharenergy, who submitted the application, explained that the turbine would provide the area with a source of renewable energy and combat climate change.   Councillors raised questions on the impact of the scheme, on local ecology and power transmission lines. Chairman, Mr Derek Pugh, was told that householders close to the turbine would not be offered financial compensation by Sharenergy. Following a vote Councillors decided to submit an objection to the planning department.

After the meeting Tim Morris, who lives near the proposed turbine site and has been campaigning against the application, said “the turn out to the parish council meeting showed the strength of feeling within the community against this resubmission of an earlier turbine scheme. This revised application continues to be totally inappropriate in the area especially in the prominent position proposed.”

Chetton Parish Council Objects to New Wind Turbine Application at Upton Cressett

At an extraordinary meeting of Chetton Parish Council held on Monday 23 March, councillors agreed to object to a planning application for a 77m wind turbine at Criddon Hall Farm, Upton Cressett. The meeting was attended by around 70 members of the local community who objected to the scheme.  Jon Halle of Sharenergy, who submitted the application, explained that the previous application, submitted in 2013 for two wind turbines at the same site, had been withdrawn following a report by the Shropshire Council planning officer recommending rejection of the scheme. The revised proposal is for one turbine but retaining the same height. Following questions from councillors, Mr. Halle said the scheme would not provide any additional local employment. He also said the turbines would be imported from abroad.  Mr Charles Gill, who spoke on behalf of Chetton parishioners objecting to the scheme, said that the turbine would devastate the landscape and threaten the efforts of the local community to encourage tourism citing the opening of a community public house at Neenton as a recent initiative.  Mr Gill said Neenton Parish Council had expressed their objection to local wind turbines.

After the meeting Tim Morris, of Stop Bridgnorth Wind Farm action group who are campaigning against the turbine application, said “the turn out to the parish council meeting showed the strength of feeling within the community against this turbine scheme. This revised application continues to be totally inappropriate in the area especially in the prominent position proposed.”

Application resubmitted March 2015

We regret to announce that CRIDA has resubmitted its planning application for a wind turbine at Meadowley near Upton Cressett. The application was published on Shropshire Council Planning Applications web site on 13 March 2015. This is a modified application as permission is being sought for one turbine east of the Jack Mytton Way not two turbines as set out in the application of 2013. Whilst the deletion of one turbine is welcomed unfortunately the turbine proposed is on the T1 site which is the most prominent and the height at 77m to tip is similar to the previous height so the damage to the landscape and impact on homes and heritage remains high.

 

The turbine will have a major detrimental effect on the area for the reasons already detailed on this web site.

Three local turbine applications thrown out

A big thank you to everyone who attended the South Shropshire Planning Meeting at Shire Hall on 4 March. The Hills application was rejected UNANIMOUSLY by Councillors and the Middleton Priors application was rejected by 6 votes against and 3 supporting! Local community visual and vocal support was one of the pivotal reasons why both applications were rejected. The Councillors discussed many areas but the key reasons in our favour were Assessment  on Landscape  and  View of the Local Community.

After the meeting Chris Douglas said:

“We are absolutely delighted that both applications were refused by the planning committee, especially as they had been recommended for approval by the planning officer.

“We are just very pleased that local opinion was not only heard, but also taken on board by the committee.

The landscape in the area west of Bridgnorth is beautiful, tranquil and unique, and we must do all we can to ensure it remains that way, not only for those living in the area but also for its many visitors.

There are several other applications for wind turbines in south Shropshire in the planning pipeline.

These stand to benefit the applicants only, and we hope that localism will continue to prevail when these applications come before the planners in due course.”

Click here to read more from the Shropshire Star.