Go-ahead call for windfarm plans

JUST a matter of weeks after plans for a new windfarm at Sheephouse Heights were refused, Barnsley Council will consider granting consent for three new turbines tomorrow.

Planning officers have recommended that councillors approve the development at Spicer Hill in Ingbirchworth, which is close to the existing Royd Moor windfarm, saying that the environmental benefits outweigh the possible impact on the landscape.

The 6.9MW output from the three 54-metre wind turbines could generate enough energy to power up to 4,200 homes.

Objections, however, have come from the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), residents, local councillors and both town and parish councils.

A spokesman for the CPRE said that, following the granting of planning consent for three new turbines at Blackstone Edge, further turbines would have an “adverse cumulative impact upon this Pennine fringe landscape, which outweighs the generation of 6.9MW of renewable energy”.

They added that this impact would be further increased if the Sheephouse Heights scheme goes ahead and the turbines would “dominate the landscape character of the Upper Don Valley”.

Although the Sheephouse Heights windfarm was turned down in December, it is still within the timescale for a possible appeal.

The Spicer Hill application has been submitted by farmer Jeffrey Pears, whose home would be closest to the proposed turbines.

Barnsley Council planners say that the noise impact of the wind farm would be low, the scheme “significantly complies with national, regional and local policies and guidance” and both environmental and social impacts of the turbines have been minimised.

Objectors, however, say the scheme could affect TV signals, the technology is “inefficient”, the windfarm could create increased traffic on rural roads and there was a possibility of drivers being distracted on the A616 – “one of the busiest roads in the country”.

Penistone Town Council says there is already an “over-saturation of turbines in the area and objects on the grounds of “damage to the highway infrastructure”.

Dunford Parish Council has objected to the “visual impact in respect of Crow Edge and the Peak Park” and says there may be “future pressure to fill the gaps between the windfarms”.

Gunthwaite and Ingbirchworth Parish Council, meanwhile, has added its objections, saying that “a disproportionate stress seems to be developing on this small part of South Yorkshire” and the development “should not go ahead”.

Ecclesfield Parish Council has also objected, saying that turbines can “affect the quality of life of the inhabitants both physically and mentally”, as well as causing “severe financial losses” to property owners.

Although the proposed Spicer Hill windfarm is located on green belt land, Barnsley Council’s planners say “very special circumstances” – in terms of the environmental benefits – outweigh the harm the development would cause to the countryside.

They add that the proposals have been reduced from five to turbines to three, and the quality of the agricultural land at Spicer Hill is “low, as it is neither rare nor unusual”.

In a report set to go before tomorrow’s planning committee, the planners say: “Landscape and visual impacts have thoroughly been assessed and the impact on the visual amenity of the green belt is not considered to be significant.”

If planning permission is granted by councillors tomorrow, the scheme then needs to be approved by the Secretary of State before work can begin.