West Lancashire planners reject proposal for 25m tall wind turbine in Aughton

Dec 13 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

PLANS for a 25m tall wind turbine in Aughton were rejected over fears it could interfere with radar detection.

West Lancashire council’s planning committee refused permission for Neil Rothwell to install the turbine on his land at Fir Tree Farm, off Fir Tree Lane, last Thursday.

Agents acting for Mr Rothwell had said the turbine was wanted to generate electricity using the “locally abundant winds” to combat rising energy costs. Fears had been raised that if permission was granted it may set a precedent for further applications of a similar size, and residents and representatives from Aughton Parish Council both spoke against the application at the meeting.

Council officers had recommended it be refused following an objection from NATS on the grounds it would have an impact on radar. But Cllr David Westley suggested adding the additional grounds for refusal of loss of residential amenity and the detrimental effect on the Green Belt.

And Cllr David O’Toole said: “Eighteen months ago, we refused an application [for a turbine] in Up Holland because of the effect on residents and that was nowhere near as high as this.”

However, borough planner John Harrison advised against a “scatter-gun approach” and recommended that councillors should stick to the single reason for refusal of radar interference – saying adding extra reasons would weaken the case and make an appeal more difficult to defend.

Councillors followed the advice and the application was rejected.