Sponsored by
Farmer plans to build 85ft wind turbine in Leyland
It's been dubbed Leyland's answer to the Angel of the North and if it gets permission it will change South Ribble's landscape for ever.
Farmer Reg Wareing has applied to South Ribble Council to build an 85ft wind turbine to power his farm, off Dunkirk Lane.
If approved the turbine will be taller than six double decker buses or eight times the size of the stones at Stonehenge.
Some locals have already dubbed the scheme the town's answer to Newcastle's Angel of the North monument - which is 20ft smaller than the proposed Leyland development.
The scheme is so big that if councillors approve the plan both Blackpool Airport and Warton Airfield will have to be notified.
However, Mr Wareing has defended the plan and says he simply wants to help protect the environment by using renewable energy.
The 70-year-old said: "As a farmer I've always tried to do my bit for the environment and I thought this would be a good idea.
"I've been interested in this sort of thing for the last 20 to 30 years but never been in a position to do anything before.
"If we get it approved it will help us produce cleaner energy and be more self-sufficient.
"I think this location is appropriate for it because there aren't many people around here. We are quite isolated and the turbine will be blocked by some of our farm buildings."
The height of the turbine is 60ft but the maximum total height with the propeller is 85ft. The average height of the farm buildings on the site is approximately 30ft, according to Mr Wareing.
If approved, the turbine will produce power for the National Grid and Mr Wareing will have to buy it back at a cheaper rate.
It will allow the farmer to power the home he shares with wife Joan as well as for drying grain from the farm.
Coun Michael Green, who represents the area, said: "All credit to the applicant if he is doing this from an environmental point of view but there are some potential issues in regards to the visual impact and noise this development could create.
"If it was smaller I don't think there would be any issues at all but as it is it's quite large and while it is a fairly isolated area it will be able to be seen from quite a distance.
"The other concern with these types of developments is noise but we will have to look at the plans in more detail and take advice from the planning officers about this.
"The other thing to consider is that studies have cast doubt on the economic viability of wind energy in South Ribble because we don't get enough wind, so it is an interesting application that requires some more investigation before we will be in a position to make a valid assessment."
A final decision is expected to be made by South Ribble Council at the end of September.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leyland
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
