Mast would spoil skyline

Protesters say a wind turbine almost as tall as Newark Parish Church spire will scar the historic skyline outside the town.

Residents of Thorpe are fighting plans for a 67m turbine off Fosse Road, between Thorpe and Farndon. The parish church spire stands at 78m.

The Save Our View campaign is opposing the plans.

A Thorpe resident, Mr Robert Staunton, said the height of the turbine was completely unacceptable.

“Its location will be disastrous for the landscape of the unspoilt village of Thorpe, as well as the lovely town of Newark,” he said.

“Up until now the district council has resisted the destruction of the visual landscape of the historic area, which is now under threat from this application.”

Mr Staunton said claims by the applicant, Truelove Farms, that the turbine would cause a negligible impact on the landscape were incorrect. He said illustrations of the predicted impact were misleading.

Residents of Thorpe are not totally averse to wind power as one villager recently had a survey conducted for a small domestic turbine.

But Mr Staunton said the survey showed there was not enough wind for a turbine in the flat area, raising concerns about the viability of Truelove Farm’s plans.

Residents are also concerned about the impact on the natural habitat, including protected species of birds, the visual effect on historic buildings like the Norman church, the unsuitable access into Thorpe, and noise pollution.

“The only beneficiary is the absentee landlord, who did not think to consult with local people on the location of this turbine,” said Mr Staunton.

According to the planning application, the turbine will provide energy for 174 homes a year.

The agents, Arcus Renewable Energy Consulting Ltd, say the turbine is half the height of those at large-scale wind farms and, as the area has a wooded character, views of the turbine would become less frequent beyond a few hundred metres.

Arcus says the turbine is in accordance with planning policy for landscape and visual impact, ecology, archaeology and cultural heritage, noise, climate change, and other issues, including flooding.

The application is likely to be decided by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee on February 8.

People have until January 31 to comment.