Agenda item

Full Application - Single Wind Turbine of Maximum Tip Height 86.5 m and Ancillary Development, Including a Crane Hard-Standing Pad, Substation, Equipment Housing Cabinet and Access Road at Lygan Uchaf Farm, Wern Road, Rhosesmor (052344)

Decision:

            That planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment). 

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report. An amendment to and additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting. 

 

                        The officer detailed the background to the report and highlighted the main planning considerations that were reported in paragraph 7.06.  The applicant had had the opportunity to withdraw the application but had decided to continue with the application.  Five reasons for refusal were reported with the first two relating to the detrimental impact on the character of the landscape and the height of the turbine having an impact on the safe operation of the radar at John Lennon Airport.  He also referred Members to the late observations where an additional letter of objection was reported. 

 

                        Mr. G. Royles spoke against the application on behalf of concerned residents.  He spoke of the visual and health impact of the turbine and explained that it was four times as high as the turbine at Rhosesmor school and was nearly as tall as the chimney at Castle Cement in Padeswood.  It was proposed to erect the turbine in the Alyn Wheeler Valley which was in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and near to the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  The Unitary Development Plan stated that development should maintain and enhance the landscape but he felt this proposal would be out of context and be a blot on the landscape.  Mr. Royles felt that approval of the application would set a precedent and he referred to setback distance of 2km from properties which was required in Scotland; this proposal would have a setback distance of 0.5km.  He referred to injury and fatalities caused by wind turbines and the negative impact that it would have on the health of residents.  He felt that the turbine was too big and too close to neighbouring properties.

 

                        Councillor John Thomas from Halkyn Community Council also spoke against the application.  He said that he was not against renewable energy but not at the expense of the community and added that noise pollution would have a detrimental impact on people and wildlife.  He raised concern that three footpaths were close to the proposed site and suggested that the inclusion of the footpaths on the plans available on the Council’s website would have been helpful.  He raised significant concern about the effect on the landscape, the AONB and the neighbouring SSSI.              

 

            Councillor Chris Bithell proposed the recommendation for refusal which was duly seconded.  He spoke of the significant height of the turbine which would be twice the height of the flats in Flint and of the significant impact on the AONB.  He felt that the proposal would cause environmental harm and affect health and should be rejected. 

 

Councillor Carolyn Thomas said that the area had been designated an AONB because of the views and the sense of tranquillity which would be lost if the application was approved.  She felt that it would be an alien structure in the landscape.

 

            The Local Member, Councillor Colin Legg, spoke against the proposal.  He felt that the turbine would be grossly intrusive on the landscape and approval would set a precedent which was a significant concern.  He stressed the overwhelming objection to the proposal and referred to official guidance that indicated that the 2020 targets for onshore wind farms had been met and that other forms of power could be explored.  Councillor Legg said that the proposal would be of no benefit to Flintshire or its residents and would cause harm to the area, and set a precedent, if it was approved.  He felt that the AONB would suffer and the Alyn Wheeler valley would be disfigured.    

 

            Councillor Mike Peers commented that the applicant had chosen not to speak in support of the application.  He felt that the main concern was the effect on the landscape and the AONB and highlighted paragraphs 7.17 and 7.18 on the assessment undertaken by an independent Landscape Consultant with considerable experience in dealing with applications for wind turbines.  He felt that this turbine had no place in this area and highlighted the concerns raised by Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 

 

Councillor Gareth Roberts felt that the refusal reasons were sound and that an application that could endanger aircraft safety should be refused.  Councillor Ian Dunbar concurred that the proposal would be detrimental to the area and that the height of the turbine was a significant concern.  It would also have an impact on the landscape and the views of the Clwydian Range.  He also referred to the ecological impact on the wildlife. 

 

            In response to the comments made, the officer said that the areas of concern had been identified and reasons for refusal identified. 

 

            In summing up, Councillor Bithell spoke of the comments of the third party speakers and concurred that the proposal would not benefit anyone.  It would be a blot on the landscape and would be detrimental to local residents and tourists and would destroy the view of the AONB.                 

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            That planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment). 

 

Supporting documents: