Lothersdale wind turbine approved despite concerns (From Keighley News)

Lothersdale wind turbine approved despite concerns

8:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News

A micro wind turbine can be built in open countryside in Lothersdale, despite concerns from residents and councillors.

Craven District Council’s planning committee heard there were likely to be more applications for similar-sized turbines in the area.

Some councillors shared the concerns of Lothersdale Parish Council, ward councillor Mark Wheeler and residents, but they were reminded of the Government’s support of renewable energy, even in small projects.

Resident Elizabeth Goodison said she and her husband were keen walkers on the Pennine Way, close to the proposed turbine at Sunnyside Farm in Whitehill Lane, and felt strongly that the increasing number of turbines were changing the landscape into an industrial one.

She said there would be no economic benefit from the 20KW turbine, other than for the owner of the property, which was no longer a working farm.

Mrs Goodison said she believed there were at least 12 turbines dotted around Lothersdale and Cowling and asked at what stage the council called a halt to any more.

Planning officer Roger France said each application for a turbine had to be treated on its own merits and that the Government placed considerable weight on renewable projects, however small.

He said he was certain the applicant would win an appeal if the council refused permission.

Coun Alan Sutcliffe (Con) said he had assumed the turbine was for a working farm and added that in the past, the committee had been sympathetic to farm turbines as they helped towards the cost. But he said this scheme would only benefit the applicant’s bank account.

“This is going to increasingly happen and at some point we are going to have to decide when we are going to draw the line,” he said. Coun Paul English (Lib Dem) said it was about visual amenity and whether people liked the look of turbines or not.

“I actually think they look okay and not detrimental. I feel they do more good than harm,” he said.

The committee voted in favour of granting planning permission.