Go-ahead sought for giant wind turbine at 'factory of the future'

A pair of twin-bladed turbines were put up at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Catcliffe, Rotherham, several years ago, but one broke in high winds.

It was repaired, but winds later snapped off one of the blades again, leaving managers at the facility run by Sheffield University with no option but to switch them off completely.

A third turbine has since been put up and plans have now been lodged for another three-blade turbine, to provide power for a new nuclear manufacturing research facility.

The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre will operate alongside the existing building, and will specialise in developing components for nuclear power stations.

At present, the two 190ft twin-bladed turbines are still not working – one has no blades and the other does not move. Drawings show the new turbine will be 140ft higher.

Since the plans were lodged with Rotherham Council, a company in neighbouring offices has written to the authority asking for a series of undertakings to ensure the plans are safe. TWI Technology works from a building on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), of which the AMRC is a part, and says it is mainly concerned with the risk from snapping blades.

The firm's letter says: "The existing turbines have suffered from serious blade failure which was very dangerous and posed significant concerns with regard to the safety of TWI's workforce.

"An assessment of the structural integrity of the proposed turbine should be made available to assure the local authority that the turbine will not pose a danger to the companies on the AMP."

TWI bosses say their staff have also suffered significantly from so-called shadow flicker, which occurs when the blades of the turbine turn quickly in sunny weather.

Their letter says: "A condition should be placed on any approval that Sheffield University should be made responsible for installing suitable blinds to stop any significant shadow flicker affecting the premises."

According to planning documents, the AMRC has held a series of public consultations with people living in the village of Catcliffe, and no "significant feedback" has been received.

Sheffield University has also committed to showing public information boards at the local community hall as part of an ongoing consultation during the application process.

If the turbine is approved it will have to be included on civil aviation maps, because it is more than 300ft high, and there is concern over its elevated position on local views.

But in their assessment, Rotherham Council planning officers say that although the turbine is massive, it is acceptable for the site, which lies next to the A630 Sheffield Parkway.

They add: "It is not possible to mitigate the impact of the turbine on the character of the area due to the scale of the structure.

"However, having regard to the character of the area, which is predominately industrial in nature, and the presence of major engineering works including the Sheffield Parkway, it is considered that the site is capable of accommodating the turbine without a negative impact on the visual character of the wider area.

"The cumulative impact has been addressed and while this is not ideal, it is not considered that the addition of a further turbine, albeit larger that the existing three, will result in a detrimental impact."

The application is due to be determined at a meeting of Rotherham Council's planning board today.