Another wind turbine is refused by planners

Another wind turbine is refused by planners

30 November 2016

PLANNERS are recommending that plans for another huge wind turbine outside Downpatrick should be refused.

Three weeks after vetoing permission for two 250 kilowatt turbines at the Myra Road and Loughmoney Road, planners are recommending that a turbine which would stand almost 60 metres tall at its highest point at the Slievegrane Road should not be given the green light.

The refusal recommendation is to be debated by members of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee next Wednesday in Newry.

Politicians will be told the turbine application is contrary to planning policy and that if permitted, would have had an “unacceptable and adverse impact” on the landscape character and visual amenity of the area through its scale, siting and size.

In addition, planners say the Slievegrane Road proposal is contrary to renewable energy policy in that if permitted, the turbine would cause harm to the safety of nearby residents by reason of so-called shadow flicker associated with turning blades on a turbine.

While several large turbines have already secured planning approval, a number have recently been refused, and some residents have been calling for a moratorium on industrial scale wind turbines until a definitive policy on their provision is agreed. 

A number of residents who live in areas where large turbines are proposed believe politicians must give the wind turbine issue their “fullest attention” and ensure areas of outstanding natural beauty are not blighted by turbines.

With regard to the recent planning application for a turbine at the Loughmoney Road, planners expressed concern about the impact it would have on the setting of the historic St Patrick’s Monument by reason of its design.

Planners said the turbine would appear as a “prominent feature” in its immediate landscape setting and when viewed from the historic monument would appear as a “striking, prominent structure and would impact on the landscape character of the surrounding undulating hills and Strangford Lough.”

In relation to the Myra Road proposal, planners said it would have an “adverse impact” on visual amenity and the landscape character of the area. They ruled the turbine’s environmental, economic and social benefits did not outweigh objections to the proposal.

Planners said the proposed turbine contravenes planning policy and would, if permitted, have an “unacceptable adverse impact” on the visual and special landscape character of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by reason of size, scale and proposed siting.