Seven Questions to Consider

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1. Are you aware of the proximity and real detrimental impact the 80m turbines will have on at least 20 homes near the site?

• Homes in Meadowley and Underton are within 600 to 900m of the turbines
• In Australia and parts of Europe onshore wind farms cannot be built closer than 1.5km from homes
• In Scotland, planning guidelines state wind turbines should be 2km from homes
• Noise and flicker have been shown to cause health problems
• CRIDA is not proposing to compensate residents for the harm to their living conditions

2. Do you realise that approval of the two turbines will create a dangerous precedent leading to further applications in the countryside west of Bridgnorth?

3. Do you know that there is a substantial part of the local community which has already indicated opposition to the turbines?

• There are 150 households from Morville, Chetton, Underton and local villages who have joined the campaign against the turbines for reasons including:
  • significant impact on the community’s visual amenity (particularly with the prospect of many more turbines
  • significant impact on nearby homes who will suffer noise and flicker as well as the highly unpleasant domination of large moving turbines at close proximity.
• The Government has recently announced a change to NPPF framework to ensure that:
  • onshore turbines are more appropriately sited
  • turbines have the consent of the local community

4. Are you aware of the impact of the turbines on the Jack Mytton Way?

• There is potential hazard from ice being thrown from blades (80m high) at such a close distance
• Horse riders will have to pass between the two turbines at a distance of only 150m - the British Horse Society recommends a distance of 4 times the turbine height between turbine and bridleway (ie 320m) for safe riding. 
• This bridleway is a flagship tourist route promoted by Shropshire Council – surely this must take precedence?

5. Are you aware of the impact of the turbines on the area's heritage?

• Visitors who currently visit for the countryside and heritage landscape will associate the area with the turbines as they will be so prominent on the skyline (particularly T1)
• Heritage sites' outlook will be changed from countryside to turbines detrimentally impacting their viability and conservation justification.
• The ancient settlement of Upton Cresset, which is only 1km distant, will be blighted, including Grade 1 Upton Cressett Hall, the Grade 1 Gatehouse and other important heritage assets recently reclassified as Grade 1 by English Heritage.
• In the immediate area there is a further concentration of over 24 heritage buildings of national importance including two of which are Grade I listed - Morville Hall, owned by the National Trust and the 12th century St Gregory's Church, Morville

6. Do you appreciate the scale of the proposed turbines? 

• The turbines will be visible from Wolverhampton
• Bridgnorth Town Hall is 14m, Lord Hill monument Shrewsbury is 41m
• The 2 turbines would be the highest in South Shropshire and yet they are very close to homes. How can this be acceptable?
• The visually important skyline from Bridgnorth west will be broken by turbine T1 
• There is only limited screening of the turbines either by vegetation or land
• The detrimental effect of moving structures of such height should not be dismissed

7. Do you know there are viable alternatives to onshore wind to provide sustainable energy?

• Remember, no wind = no energy.  Fully working backup generation capacity by non-wind systems is always needed. This cost must still be borne by the consumer
• The Ironbridge power station will be using sustainable wood pellets in place of coal for part of its generation
• A biomass plant has been installed at Swancote near Worfield generating electricity with very little impact on the landscape
• There are plans for a hydro scheme on the Severn
• A solar scheme has been installed in Leominster