Wind farm decision imminent

THE fate of plans to erect a wind turbine in Chapmanslade will be decided next week, when a final ruling on the planning application is expected from Wiltshire County Council.

The application, registered in September last year, had an original decision target date of 18th December, but has had a number of extensions due to concerns raised during the consultation period. A  final decision is now expected on Thursday 30th April.

The application to erect the 87-metre structure was met with harsh criticism  and a protest group dedicated itself to trying to stop the development.

Spokesperson for the group Stop Thoulstone Farm Wind Turbine, Tim Page said, “We are poised to object in the strongest possible terms to this ill-considered, inappropriate, and subsidy-abusive planning application in an historic and unspoilt piece of Wiltshire countryside, backdropped by Cley Hill, Longleat and the surrounding area of outstanding natural beauty.

“The protestations of climate change benefit littered throughout the planning application are laughable for the little dribble of electricity that such a machine may occasionally produce.”

The group’s complaints were combatted by one of the landowners Tony Robinson who said, “I live near two turbines and they don’t bother me at all. To claim they are detrimental to the landscape or ugly to look at is just an opinion, and one that I don’t share.

“Something has to be done about energy, people can’t keep sitting on their laurels putting it off. We know it’s a windy spot so the turbine will be effective, and we have been approached by a number of developers wanting to use the land.”

Applying agent Seren Energy Ltd has said they will make a one-off donation of £15,000 and £2,000 per year to the local community throughout the turbine’s 25 year operation period.

Full details of the application can be read by at www.wiltshire.gov.uk, planning application number 14/08778/FUL.