Planning inspector agrees with Council that structure would be too ‘oppressive’ (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Planning inspector agrees with Council that structure would be too ‘oppressive’

10:10pm Friday 12th February 2010 in

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An appeal over plans for a £2 million 400ft wind turbine at Princes Soft Drinks in Bradford has been turned down.

It follows refusal by Bradford Council planners in May because of concerns over the noise it would generate.

Now planning inspector Elizabeth Ord has dismissed the appeal based on information that the turbine would be ‘overbearing and oppressive’ to a number of residents and that noise from the structure could at times lead to neighbours’ sleep being disturbed.

Princes’ plan for its Weaverthorpe Road site in Tong is for a 2.3 megawatt turbine which would be the tallest in the area. It was designed to provide 20 per cent of the factory’s energy needs.

But local feelings ran high with more than 1,800 letters of objection along with two petitions handed in to the Council over the original application.

The planning inspectorate report states: “The proposed turbine would be in very close proximity to a number of dwellings, some of which are within an unrestricted line of sight, and others of which have partial short distance views.

“The outlook from these dwellings would be significantly harmed by the scale, movement, height and close proximity of the turbine, resulting in an unreasonable visual impact.”

And of the noise complaints the report states: “Princes’ measurements show that, for some dwellings under certain conditions, the emitted turbine noise is likely to lead to complaints.

“Furthermore, according to WHO standards, there would be times when this noise could result in sleep disturbance, or prove to be a serious annoyance to residents. I find this to be unacceptable.”

Councillor John Ruding (Lab, Tong) said: “I am delighted that the inspector agreed with the local community and their voices have been heard.

“These proposals were an experiment on people’s lives which was not acceptable.”

A spokesman for Princes said: “We are aware of the decision and cannot comment further at this time.”