12/00516/FUL
AGENDA ITEM 11
ERECTION OF WIND TURBINE OF HEIGHT TO HUB AXIS
OF 24.6M AND HEIGHT TO BLADE TIP OF 34.2M AT
DALE BANK FARM, DALEBANK ROAD, CHEADLE FOR
ROBERT SCRAGG.
Parish: Cheadle
Case Officer: Miss R. Simpkin
Registration: 26/05/12
Grid Reference: 0286 4081
THE APPLICATION
The proposal is a full application for a single Endurance E-3120 three bladed wind
turbine with a nominal peak power output of 50kW mounted. The hub axis height is
24.6m and the three rotor blades reach a radius of 9.6m giving a maximum height to
blade tip in the vertical position of 34.2m above ground level. The base width of the
tower is 1.6m tapering to 0.7m at the hub mounting and sited on a concrete hardstand
foundation with an exposed foundation of area 4.5m x 3.0m. There would be a dark
green control cabinet 2.15m (high) x 2.0m (long) x 1.0m (wide) set on a concrete plinth
adjacent to the turbine. The tower, generator hub and blades would be finished in
white.
A Design and Access Statement, Manufacturer’s Noise Specification and
Photomontages have been submitted, which Members are encouraged to view and
read prior to the Planning Application Committee meeting.
The Agent has stated that the turbine proposed will produce renewable electricity to
supply the farmhouse and buildings including the new farm shop and tea room which is
to be developed. Dalebank Farm extends to some 250 acres which are farmed by the
applicant, focussing on cattle and sheep production, with the applicant breeding from
approximately 100 suckler cows; 500 ewes and rearing some 1,800 turkeys for the
Christmas market. The applicant’s current electricity bill is put at in the region of £5,000
per year and it is stated that this is predicted to double with the new shop and tea room.
In detail, the wind turbine would generate up to 194,253kW of renewable electricity for
use by the applicant, with any surplus being sold back to the National Grid. The
windspeed at this location taken from the DECC website is 6.7m/s. Based on a typical
domestic house using 4,000 kWh per annum, the turbine is predicted to produce
sufficient energy to power 48 houses. In terms of carbon savings, then the turbine will
effectively save approximately 10.5 tonnes (with the ratio being 0.543kg carbon for
every kWh generated).
The applicant summarises the proposal as follows: the proposed scheme complies with
all relevant national and local planning policy; national and local Government supports
the production of renewable energy via schemes such as this; there will be no impact
on any residential properties or any loss of visual amenity; the turbine will be positioned
so as to minimise the impact on the surrounding landscape, local residents, and any
protected or other species; this is an existing farming business and therefore
development to sustain an existing unit should be supported; the farm is diversifying
with a new shop and tea room under construction and this proposal will further
contribute to the sustainable growth of these enterprises; the impact on the landscape
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AGENDA ITEM 11
has been fully considered and the turbine that is proposed should not form an
incongruous structure within the wider setting, and, there will be no detrimental impact
on local ecology including bats and birds.
SITE LOCATION/DESCRIPTION
The site location is slightly set back from the ridge edge in a field which overlooks the
gentle narrow valley of Winnothdale from its northern side. The proposed turbine will
be sited approximately 110.0m to the east of the farm complex at Dale Bank Farm.
There is a considerable range of farm buildings attached to the farm site which range
prominently along the ridge edge overlooking the valley. There is a small wood
immediately north of the application site within 60.0m. There are also woods
immediately west of Dale Bank Farm 200.0m from the site. Within 500.0m to the
northeast is the large Counslow sand and gravel quarry although its workings are
almost entirely concealed by topographic factors and perimeter tree belts. A prominent
overhead electricity line on telegraph poles passes approximately north to south close
by the application site. All the nearby public roads are very minor and generally single
track. They are also typically lined by strong hedges and roadside hedgerow trees.
There are just two public rights of way in the vicinity. A public footpath (number 15,
Cheadle) passes through the site location on a route covering just 500.0m from Dale
Bank Road to the northwest to join with a public footpath to the southeast which in turn
runs for approximately 1.5km between a minor road to the north and one in the valley
bottom to the south. At a radius of 500.0m of the site are scattered some twenty
residential properties. A few are closer at about 200.0m.
For the purposes of the Adopted Local Plan, the site is located within the open
countryside designated as a Special Landscape Area and also a mineral consultation
area.
PLANNING HISTORY
09/01160/FUL
Farm shop, tea room and new access. Approved with conditions.
08/02017/FUL
Erection of Farm Shop / Tea Room. Refused.
CONSULTATIONS
Cheadle Town Council: Comments awaited.
Policy Officer: Paragraph 93 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
explains how planning has a key role in reducing Green House Gases and supporting
the delivery of renewable infrastructure; paragraph 97 directs LPAs to “... identify
opportunities where development can draw its energy supply from … renewable ...
supply systems”. Paragraph 98 is explicit that applicants need not justify the need for
(even small-scale) renewable energy. On the issue of amenity, paragraphs 97 / 98
refer to how LPAs should “… maximise renewables ... while ensuring that ... adverse
[cumulative] impacts are addressed satisfactorily ...” and “approve application(s) if
impacts ... can be made ... acceptable”, see also paragraph 65. Clearly the principle
of new decentralised renewable power schemes is supported. Whilst there is in-
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AGENDA ITEM 11
principle support in national and local guidance for greater installation of renewable
power schemes generally; and whilst there is no need for site justification (nor the form
of renewable energy selected); permission should only be granted if it is considered on
balance that the range of any negative amenity impacts referenced (i.e. after
demonstration of their minimisation) are outweighed by the scheme’s benefits.
Ecology and Landscape Officer: There are no biodiversity protection or conservation
concerns raised by this proposal. The grassland of the field is recently agriculturally
improved and there is therefore no significant nature conservation importance
associated with the grassland at the site. Whilst bats are a particular consideration with
wind turbine applications due both to the very high level of legal protection applying to
all species of bat and due to evidence from research that in the vicinity of wind turbines
bats may die either through direct collision or through ‘barotrauma’ whereby air pressure
waves induce lung collapse, Natural England has issued guidance which recommends
that generally the degree of risk can be brought within acceptable limits if the turbine
blade reach is not closer than 50.0m to bat conducive habitat features such as wall
lines, hedges, ponds and trees or woods etc. In this case the site is at 70.0m from the
wood to the north, 80.0m from the footpath to the east and 110.0m from the farm
buildings to the west and on this basis complies with the advice of the regulatory body.
The implications for the protection of the landscape need to be considered in two parts.
Firstly, does the proposal harm the landscape character of the location and its
surroundings or setting? Secondly, what is the degree of impact of the proposal on
people’s visual enjoyment of the landscape? This is assessed chiefly by reference to
the numbers of people likely to view the structure and how they are likely to perceive it.
This in turn is related to the extent or duration of views, proximity and what people are
doing when they see the structure. Although the structure may be judged to be alien
and out of character with accepted or established present day countryside norms the
slight dimensions and localised impacts coupled with low visual amenity implications
lead to a conclusion overall that in landscape terms the proposal is acceptable.
Environmental Health Officer: No objections subject to noise control conditions.
Local Highway Authority: No objections.
County Council (Public Rights of Way): Public Footpath No 15 Cheadle appears to run
very closely to the proposed turbine. There is no statutory separation between a wind
turbine and a public right of way. Often, fall over distance is considered an acceptable
separation, and the minimum distance is often taken to be that the turbine blades
should not be permitted to oversail a public right of way. In this case the turbine appears
to be less than 10 metres from the footpath which could potentially present a problem to
users of the right of way. The application acknowledges the existence of the footpath
but does not fully explain the distance between the proposed turbine and the route.
Finally the application states that the footpath is little used and unmarked on the
ground. There is no evidence to support the claim and, should the application be
approved, improved signage would be required to assist both the landowner and any
footpath users.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Comments awaited.
11.3
AGENDA ITEM 11
REPRESENTATIONS
Expiry of:
Site Notice: 24th July 2012.
Press Notice: To be advised.
A site notice has been displayed and immediate neighbours notified in writing. A single
letters of representation has been received, the content of which can be summarised as
follows:



No neighbour notification has been received, even though I live at Wood Lane
View;
Turbine will cause noise and vibration;
It appears to be closer to my property than the applicant’s property.
POLICIES
The development plan comprises the: Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands
(incorporating Phase 1) January 2008; the Saved Policies of the Staffordshire and
Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan 1996 – 2011, and, the Saved Policies of the Staffordshire
Moorlands Local Plan (1998). The Core Strategy Development Plan Document
(Revised Submission Document) December 2011, is also a material consideration.
West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy
QE1
Conserving and Enhancing the Environment
QE6
The Conservation, Enhancement and Restoration of the Region’s
Landscape
QE7
Protecting, Managing and Enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity and Nature
Conservation Resources
EN1
Energy Generation
Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan
N8
Special Landscape Area
N9
Special Landscape Area
B13
Built Environment
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan
NC1
Protection of the Countryside
NC2
Landscape Protection and Restoration
D2
Design and Environmental Quality of Development
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (April 2002)
Paragraphs 1 – 17
Section 3
Supporting a prosperous rural economy
Section 7
Requiring good design
Section 10 Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change
Section 11 Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
PPS.22
Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS 22.
11.4
AGENDA ITEM 11
Core Strategy Development Plan Document (Revised Submission Document)
SO2
Sustainable Development
SD1
Achieving Sustainable Development
SS1
Development Principles
SD2
Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy
SO8
Design and Conservation Policies - Spatial Objectives
SO9
Design and Conservation Policies - Spatial Objectives
DC1
Design Considerations
DC3
Landscape and Settlement Setting
NE1
Biodiversity and Geological Resources
OFFICER COMMENT
1. This is a full application for the erection of a single Endurance E-3120 wind turbine
with a hub height of 24.6m, 19.2m diameter blades and a maximum height to blade tip
of 34.2m above ground level. The site lies within the open countryside which is
designated Special Landscape Area. The erection of a wind turbine is not automatically
inappropriate development in such locations, as would be the case in the Green Belt.
The main issues to consider therefore are the impact of the proposal in terms of
landscape character and visual effects, residential amenity, highway safety, ecology,
public footpaths and grid connection. These matters are assessed under the various
sub headings below. Where harm would result from these issues a judgment must be
made as to whether the harm identified would be outweighed by the benefits,
particularly in terms of climate change which flow from renewable energy generation.
This is the planning balance and is assessed below.
Policy
2. Sustainable development is presented as a core intention of the NPPF, not
exclusively economic sustainability and not exclusively environmental but sustainability
arrived at by considering and weighing in balance the economic, social and
environmental dimensions of development. The NPPF establishes at paragraph 6 that
policies in paragraphs 18 to 219 taken together shall constitute the Government’s view
of what “sustainable development” means.
3. The Government is committed to achieving 15% of its total energy supplies from
renewable sources by 2020. As indicated in the overarching National Policy Statement
for Energy (July 2011), it is expected that 30% of electricity demand will be met from
renewable energy production. The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap (July 2011)
explains that at 2010, 3.3% of the country’s total energy demand had been provided
from renewable sources. The Carbon Plan (December 2011) acknowledges that there
is a need for a dramatic increase in the amount of renewable electricity generation.
4. Addressing the challenge of climate change, the NPPF states that planning plays a
key role in helping shape places to secure radical reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions, minimising vulnerability and providing resilience to the impacts of climate
change. Renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure are
supported and considered central to the economic, social and environmental
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AGENDA ITEM 11
dimensions of sustainable development. Local Planning Authorities should have a
positive strategy to promote energy from renewable and low carbon sources and to
maximise renewable and low carbon energy whilst ensuring that adverse impacts are
addressed satisfactorily. The overall need for renewable or low carbon energy does not
need to be demonstrated. Applications should be approved unless material
considerations indicate otherwise.
5. Regional Spatial Strategy Policy EN1 pre-dates the NPPF however it has a similar
thrust in that it encourages proposals for the use of renewable energy resources
including on-shore wind power. It identifies the environmental and other criteria to be
applied in determining such proposals. The emerging Staffordshire Moorlands Core
Strategy Policy SD2 builds support for this subject to the consideration of visual
impacts, how benefits have been demonstrated and how disbenefits have been
minimised where possible.
6. The Agent has stated that the turbine proposed will produce renewable electricity to
supply the farmhouse and buildings including the new farm shop and tea room which is
to be developed. Dalebank Farm extends to some 250 acres which are farmed by the
applicant, focussing on cattle and sheep production, with the applicant breeding from
approximately 100 suckler cows and 500 breeding ewes. It is also stated that the
applicant also rears some 1,800 turkeys for the Christmas market. Also, the applicant’s
current electricity bill is in the region of £5,000 per year and it is stated that this is
predicted to double with the new shop and tea room.
7. In detail, the wind turbine would generate up to 194,253kW of renewable electricity
for use by the applicant, with any surplus being sold back to the National Grid. The
windspeed at this location taken from the DECC website is 6.7m/s. Based on a typical
domestic house using 4,000 kWh per annum, the turbine is predicted to produce
sufficient energy to power 48 houses. In terms of carbon savings, then the turbine will
effectively save approximately 10.5 tonnes (with the ratio being 0.543kg carbon for
every kWh generated). The proposal therefore appears to provide for notable carbon /
energy saving benefits in respect of its renewable energy production.
Landscape and Visual Impact
8. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) at paragraph 109 states that the
planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment
by… protecting and enhancing valued landscapes. Several policies under the
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan (2001) apply. NC1, Protection of the
Countryside, requires that the countryside be safeguarded for its own sake, that new
buildings be strictly controlled respecting the character of the countryside and
maintaining or improving the environment with mitigation of, or compensation for, any
adverse environmental impacts.
9. Structure Plan Policy NC2, Landscape Protection and Restoration requires that
development be informed by and sympathetic to landscape character and quality and
should contribute, as appropriate, to the regeneration, restoration, enhancement,
maintenance or active conservation of the landscape. Informing this policy is the
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan Supplementary Planning Guidance
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AGENDA ITEM 11
(SPG) Planning for Landscape Change (2001). This provides a systematic evaluation
of landscape quality and characteristics across the county. In this county-wide context,
the proposal site is placed within the Dissected Sandstone Cloughs and Valleys
(farmland) landscape character type. The adopted landscape policy for this location is
‘landscape maintenance’ indicating a moderate to high quality landscape, ranked at four
on a five point scale from very low to very high quality where five is highest. The policy
states that substantial emphasis should be placed on ensuring that the development
blends unobtrusively into the landscape and does not lead to the loss of features
characteristic of it. The policy records that generally it is the long history of farming that
has created the landscape pattern and that “there is a danger that a change in the
farming or land use pattern could have rapid and serious consequences for landscape
quality”. Additionally and in common with a large eastern swathe of the Staffordshire
Moorlands the location is within an area classed as being of highest landscape
sensitivity. Policy D2 is concerned with the design and environmental quality of
development and requires development to generally conserve and where possible
improve the quality of life and the environment.
10. Landscape topography, and the proportions of the proposed turbine in relation to it,
are key factors in the assessment of this proposal. The turbine location is at least
locally prominent though set back from the most prominent ridge edge. At 34.2m in
height the turbine would be comparable in size to an electricity pylon typically in the
range of 30m to 50m. It would differ markedly in form having a solid narrow support
column as opposed to a broader open lattice construction and of course having a
rotating blade head, in this case with three blades giving rise to a total moving sail
diameter of 19.2metres. As such the structure is not directly comparable to any
currently established norm in the landscape and on this basis would be considered alien
and out of character. Due to the intricate and intimate qualities of the immediate
landscape, a large turbine would be too dominant for this locality. Whether this more
moderately scaled structure at 24.6m to hub and 34.2m overall can be accommodated
successfully is more finely balanced. The landscape policy for the location focuses on
retaining established farming patterns in order to safeguard the previously attained
qualities of the landscape. It is notable that the farm linked with this application
manages a considerable area of the local grassland and has already had to cease as a
dairy farm a few years ago. It is understood that the applicant has ambitions to
continue farming rearing and selling beef and turkey under an environment-friendly
label. Coupled with low visual impacts (considered below) it can be concluded overall
that in landscape terms the proposal is acceptable.
11.
Visual impact concerns the extent to which people’s experience of the landscape
could be affected by the proposal. The area in view of the site is lightly populated. The
public road network comprises minor and very minor roads with it which may be
assumed in the main low volumes of local traffic. Significantly many of the closest
roads afford only limited opportunity to view the site due to high banks, hedges and
hedgerow trees. Whilst car passengers have the opportunity to enjoy the landscape,
drivers are mainly focussed on the road. The visual impacts for car-borne users of the
roads are judged low. The quiet nature of the roads may mean a higher level of
recreational usage by cyclists and people on foot and due to their slower progress and
the fact that they are out to enjoy the countryside they will be more susceptible to the
visual impacts of the proposal. Even so the screening of hedgerows, bankside, trees
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AGENDA ITEM 11
and woods and an assumed modest level of visitor numbers at most again leads to a
conclusion that the overall impacts will be at most moderate. As a result, it is
considered that the proposed turbine would not materially harm the Special Landscape
Area (Policy N8) and no objection is raised.
Residential Amenity
12. The footnote to paragraph 97 of the NPPF refers to the 1997 report by ETSU for
the Department of Trade and Industry “The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind
Farms (ETSU-R-97)”, which should be used for assessing the impact of noise from a
wind farm. The Government promotes good health and good quality of life through
effective noise management. ETSU-R-97 gives indicative noise levels calculated to
offer a reasonable degree of protection to wind farm neighbours without placing
unreasonable restrictions on wind farm development. Members should note that there
are no specified separation distances for the siting of turbines.
13. The nearest noise sensitive properties are some distance from the site. The closest
property “Rose Cottage Farm” is located 250.0m away to the south of the proposed
turbine. The Council’s Environmental Health Officer considers that there is no reason
at this stage on noise grounds to object to the application but in order that appropriate
operating conditions can be applied, a condition is recommended before the
commencement of the development begins. He states that the above decision is based
on the source sound power level and the large separation distance between it and the
nearest noise sensitive receptor, highlighting that there would be a requirement for
noise limits to be placed on this turbine before use. Consequently, the proposed
development raises no significant concerns with the Environmental Health Officer from
an amenity perspective, in respect of neighbouring properties. There is not anticipated
to be any effect from shadow flicker due to the distance of the turbine to the nearest
property.
Highway Safety
14. The Highways Authority raises no objections to the proposal in view of the
transportation method proposed.
Ecology
15. Within the NPPF, it is stated at paragraph 2 that decisions “must reflect and where
appropriate promote relevant EU obligations and statutory requirements”. This is
relevant in respect of potential implications for bats as a European Protected Species
as covered by the Birds and Habitats Directive (2010). NPPF Section 11 is about
‘Conserving and enhancing the natural environment’ and places an expectation on the
planning system to protect and enhance valued landscapes, to minimise impacts on
biodiversity, to provide net gains in biodiversity where possible and to contribute to
halting the overall decline in biodiversity.
16. The Council’s Ecology and Landscape Officer confirms that there are no
biodiversity protection or conservation concerns raised by this proposal. The grassland
of the field is recently agriculturally improved and there is therefore no significant nature
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AGENDA ITEM 11
conservation importance associated with the grassland at the site. Whilst bats are a
particular consideration with wind turbine applications, Natural England has issued
guidance which recommends that generally the degree of risk can be brought within
acceptable limits if the turbine blade reach is not closer than 50.0m to bat conducive
habitat features such as wall lines, hedges, ponds and trees or woods etc. In this case
the site is at 70.0m from the wood to the north, 80.0m from the footpath to the east and
110.0m from the farm buildings to the west and on this basis complies with the advice
of the regulatory body.
Public Footpaths and Bridleways
17. The County Council, Public Rights of Way Officer comments that Public Footpath
No. 15 Cheadle appears to run very closely to the proposed turbine. In this case the
turbine appears to be less than 10.0m from the footpath which he states could
potentially present a problem to users of the right of way. The application acknowledges
the existence of the footpath, however does not fully explain the distance between the
proposed turbine and the route. Also, that the footpath is little used and unmarked on
the ground. The Officer states that there is no evidence to support the claim and,
should the application be approved, improved signage would be required to assist both
the landowner and any footpath users.
18. The document ‘Planning for Renewable Energy: A companion Guide to PPS.22’
states at section 8, paragraph 57 that “there is no statutory [requirement for] separation
between a wind turbine and a public right of way. Often, fall-over distance is considered
an acceptable separation, and the minimum distance is often taken to be that the
turbine blades should not be permitted to oversail a public right of way”.
19. The proposed turbine is very close to the path such that users would feel to be
passing under it. For some this is likely to be intimidating whilst others may find it a
point of interest and may not be put off. Even if the blades do not oversail the path it
does appear to be within the topple distance of 34.2m. To resolve this potential conflict,
the applicant as landowner could apply to the County Council for a Footpath Diversion
Order to provide an alternative minimal variation to the route of the path enabling path
users to avoid the turbine should they wish. An appropriately worded Grampian style
condition is recommended to ensure the diversion of the footpath prior to the
commencement of development. No nearby bridleways have been identified.
Grid Connection
20. Section 4.9 in the National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) advises that the
Government envisages that wherever possible the related infrastructure necessary to
make a grid connection should be prepared in an integrated way with the electricity
generating plant. Therefore it is advised that developers should provide information on
the most likely route and method from the grid connection to the farm with their planning
application and as part of any EIA. No details were submitted of the export route and
grid connection but such a connection may have implications for the visual amenities of
the area. An appropriately worded condition however would require details prior to the
commencement of any development with any necessary mitigation works covered.
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Overall Balance and Conclusions
21. There is a clear national and regional need for renewable energy which weighs
heavily in favour of the development and is supported by Government, regional and
local policy. Wide economic and environmental benefits attach to all renewable energy
proposals and are significant material considerations which have to be given substantial
weight. The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap sets out actions that are intended to
accelerate the delivery of renewable energy including onshore wind. Nevertheless, the
Government’s intention is not that all renewable energy schemes should be supported
irrespective of any harm that might be caused. The NPPF advises that planning plays a
key role in helping to shape places to secure radical reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions. The delivery of renewable and low carbon energy and associated
infrastructure is identified as being central to the economic, social and environmental
dimensions of sustainable development. However, the Framework advises that it is
necessary to ensure that the impact of development is acceptable.
22. The benefits of producing renewable energy and assisting in meeting national
obligations, aspirations and helping to reduce the impact of climate change have to be
set against the identified harm. Based on a typical domestic house using 4,000 kWh
per annum, the turbine is predicted to produce sufficient energy to power 48 houses.
The proposal therefore appears to provide for notable carbon / energy saving benefits
in respect of its renewable energy production. The turbine would relate to an existing
farming business with a new shop and tea room under construction and it would
contribute to the sustainable growth of these enterprises. Although the turbine structure
may be judged to be alien and out of character with accepted or established present
day countryside norms, its modest dimensions of a more domestic scale and localised
impacts coupled with low visual amenity implications lead to a conclusion overall that in
landscape terms the proposal is acceptable. The Council’s Environmental Health
Officer confirms that conditions can address potential noise impacts to preserve the
amenities of those occupiers of nearby residential properties. Furthermore, no
ecological or highway safety issues would arise as a result of the proposal. Overall, the
benefits of the proposal clearly outweigh the totality of limited visual harm and the
balance falls firmly for the recommendation of a grant of planning permission.
23. For the above reasons and having regard to all material considerations, the
proposal should be approved.
Parish Council Views
Comments awaited.
Public Views
The views of local residents have been addressed in the main body of the report.
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OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
Planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:1. The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than three years from the
date of this decision.
Reason:- To comply with the provisions of Section 51 of the Town and Country
Planning, Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004.
2. No development hereby approved shall be commenced until an application to divert
Public Footpath No 15 Cheadle under the Highways Act 1980 (Section 119) has been
granted. The footpath diversion shall be fully implemented prior to the turbine hereby
approved being first installed. The details which are approved by the Local Planning
Authority shall be carried out in full.
Reason:- In the interests of the users of the adjacent public right of way.
3. The maximum height of the wind turbine hereby approved from base to rotating blade
tips shall be 34.2m.
Reason:- To ensure the satisfactory appearance of the development.
4. Before any development commences details of the design of the turbine and any
ancillary equipment, together with materials to be used externally, shall be submitted to
and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The equipment shall only be
completed in accordance with the approved detail.
Reason:- To ensure the satisfactory appearance of the development.
5. Any equipment and wind turbine base hereby approved shall be removed and the
land restored to its former agricultural use at or before the expiry of 25 years from the
date of this permission in accordance with a scheme which shall be submitted to and
approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority not later than 12 months prior to the
expiry of the said period of 25 years.
Reason:- To protect the character and appearance of the landscape from inappropriate
development.
6. If the turbine fails to produce electricity to the grid for a continuous period of 12
6months it, and its associated ancillary equipment shall be removed from the site within
a period of 6 months from the end of that 12 month period. The land shall be reinstated
in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to and approved in writing by the local
planning authority, and implemented as approved. The scheme shall include the
management and timing of the works.
Reason:- To protect the character and appearance of the Special Landscape Area.
7. No development shall commence until a site specific noise report demonstrating: a)
An assessment in accordance with "The Assessment & Rating of Noise from Wind
Farms, ref. ETSU-R-97" published by ETSU for the Department of Trade & Industry b)
A description of the noise data in the form of a "Noise Label" as described in section 3.2
of "Small Wind Turbine Performance & safety Standard 2008" published by the British
Wind Energy Association and c) Application of the above data to a site specific
assessment of the noise impact of proposed development on the nearest noise
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sensitive properties has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning
authority, and implemented as approved.
Reason:- To ensure that the reasonable residential amenities of adjoining properties
are adequately protected from noise pollution.
8. The level of noise emissions from the wind turbine when measured at the nearest
noise sensitive property should be limited to 5 dB (A) above prevailing background
noise levels. In the event of complaint then measurements to ensure compliance should
be conducted in line with ETSU-R-97. These measurements should be undertaken by
the operator and the results submitted to the Local Planning Authority upon request.
Reason:- To ensure that the reasonable residential amenities of adjoining properties
are adequately protected from noise pollution.
9. No development shall commence until details of the route and construction
methodology, for cabling to be laid underground to, from and between pieces of
equipment and which takes account of hedges and trees within the landscape, shall be
submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The agreed detail
shall be implemented.
Reason:- To ensure the satisfactory appearance of the development.
10. No construction work shall be carried out, and no materials shall be delivered to the
site, other than between the hours of 07.30 and 19.00 hours on Mondays to Fridays and
between the hours of 07.30 and 14.00 hours on Saturdays, and no such operations
shall take place at any time on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Reason:- To ensure that the reasonable residential amenities of adjoining properties
are adequately protected from noise pollution.
Informatives:
1. The application has been determined in accordance with Policies QE1, QE6 and EN1
of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy; Saved Policies NC1, NC2, NC4, NC7B,
D2 of the Adopted Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan; Saved Policies N8, N9
and B13 of the Adopted Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan; Policies: SO2, SD1, SS1,
SD2, SO8, SO9, DC1, DC3, NE1 of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document
(Revised Submission Document) and the National Planning Policy Framework (including
Saved PPS.22 Companion Guide). It is considered that the proposed turbine of a more
domestic scale would not be overly dominant or intrusive in the surrounding countryside.
It is considered on balance that the benefits of deriving renewable energy serve to
outweigh any harm that would be caused to the character and appearance of the Special
Landscape Area. Furthermore it is considered that the proposal will not detract from the
amenity of neighbouring occupiers nor raise any highway safety issues.
11.12
AGENDA ITEM 11
11.13