Wind turbine plan can go ahead

AN engineer has won a lengthy planning battle to get permission to erect a wind turbine on his land near Warrington.
Dr Michael Madden can now go ahead with his plan for the 10m high turbine at Oaklegh Lodge, in Barleycastle Lane, Appleton
Neighbours and Appleton Parish Council opposed his scheme and members of the borough council’s planning committee were divided on the issue.
They voted 3-3 – and chairman Cllr Tony McCarthy used his casting vote to approve the scheme.
Dr Madden had previously been refused permission to erect a 16.5m turbine on his land after Manchester Airport objected on the grounds that radar operators could be confused by reflections on radar screens which could be mistaken for aircraft.
The airport has now withdrawn its opposition.
Officers recommended the scheme be approved, bearing in mind the strong presumption in favour of encouraging renewable energy resources.
The committee was told the nearest dwellings were 300 metres away while the neighbours who objected were more than 430 metres away.
Dr Madden estimated that at full speed, the turbine would result in a noise level of 65dBA – similar to existing background noise levels resulting from the M56 which was about 150m away.
One neighbour supported the scheme on the grounds “green energy” should be encouraged.