Asda wind turbine plan refused in Northampton
Serious concerns about public safety have resulted in plans to build a massive wind turbine, in an industrial estate car park, being thrown out.
Supermarket giant Asda applied to the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation to build a 417ft turbine in the car park of its distribution centre in Brackmills, Northampton.
The firm said it was confident in the safety of the 2m turbine, which would generate enough electricity to power 1,250 homes, and had no concerns about its staff working close to the turbine's base.
But members of the WNDC's planning committe last night refused to back the plan.
Their decision came after concerns were raised that the turbine could catch fire or be hit by birds.
Planning committee member Councillor Penny Flavell (Con, St Crispin) said: "I find it very difficult to feel comfortable with this application.
"I think the public should be considered and everybody is very concerned about the risk."
She was backed by fellow committee member David Dickinson, who criticised a safety report commissioned by Asda for failing to investigate the possibility of the turbine catching fire or being hit by birds.
He said: "I was expecting to support this because I do support renewable energy.
"But this location and this scheme, with its lack of proper research, means I can't endorse it."
Last night's hearing was the third time the WNDC's planning committee had considered plans for the turbine, which would have been the same height as Northampton's lift tower.
A spokesman for Asda at the meeting assured committee members the turbine would be safe. He also said Asda staff in Brackmills were happy with the development, adding: "We have a commitment to embrace renewable energy throughout our business and reducing our carbon footprint.
"Our staff have been consulted and we've had a fairly positive response. They see no issue with what we're proposing."
But the committee voted to turn down the plan by a majority of seven to one.
Following the decision,residents of Great Houghton, which is close to the turbine's proposed site, said they were delighted by the decision.
The chairman of Great Houghton Parish Council, Tony Skirrow, said: "It's been a long, hard process but we're glad common sense has finally prevailed."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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