Turbine turmoil for parish council

Saddleworth Parish councillors have expressed concern at the growing number of planning applications received for small-scale wind turbines — and Oldham Council’s changing attitude towards the fixtures.

In the past few months, numerous planning applications have been for the green-energy devices by residents and businesses throughout Saddleworth.

However, parish councillors are continually recommending refusal of such applications, questioning their energy efficiency and maintaining they would become a blot on the landscape.

However, a number of applications have gone on to be approved by Oldham Council Planning Committee.

Saddleworth Planning Committee this week recommended refusal of an application to build two 15-metre high turbines on Harrop Edge, saying they would be visible over a large area and would spoil the openness of the Castleshaw landscape.

Councillor Derek Heffernan, in proposing refusal, criticised the promotion of turbines, saying they were not really effective.

He said: “In reality the turbines provide barely enough electricity to boil an electric kettle, and certainly not enough to provide the energy requirements of a single dwelling.”

The council resolved to take up these issues with Oldham Planning Department and to continue to lobby the Secretary of State for improved guidelines.

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