- How the turbines would look from a path between Stone and Holly Wood
Plans have been submitted to build two wind turbines in the town.
Hallmark Power from Leicestershire has submitted an application to Stafford Borough Council to construct two 45-metre turbines on land at Stone Park Farm, Pingle Lane (off Lichfield Road), currently used for growing cereals.
Hallmark says in its planning application that properties nearby “would not be significantly affected” by noise from the turbines and that most visual effects would be “minor”.
It states the owners of the farm would get an income from selling the electricity generated to the National Grid, “increasing the economic sustainability of the farm”. During the operation of the turbines, the land would still be used for arable farming.
The turbines would be visible from various points around the town, as the photographs below show. A Landscape and Visual Appraisal states: “Overall, while the turbines would be visible from some locations, they would be of a size and location that could be accommodated in the landscape. Apart from the paths in close proximity to the turbines, most effects would be no greater than minor.”
Click HERE to see the full ‘Landscape and Visual Appraisal’, which sets out the view of the turbines from various points in the town, and click HERE to see associated photographs.
Local people have until 2nd October to have their say on the plans. Click HERE to see the full planning application and submit your response to the consultation. A decision is expected in November.
18 comments
Michael
I don’t agree that we should be installing wind turbines, with all their inefficiency, when countries like China build polluting power stations regularly. Why put ourselves out when it will have no overall effect on planet earth. If a response to climate change is needed it has to happen on a global scale, with international cooperation, not with Little Britain going it alone.
That said, if we must install wind turbines they should be built where they cannot be seen or heard by existing property owners.
Sally
The cricket club would not be an option as it is also very close to the Aston Lodge estate and the turbines perched on high ground there would be just as detrimental. The phone masts are normally 15m whereas these turbines are 45m and there are the noise and associated health issues to be considered. With so many planning applications for turbines and solar panels all over the country I wonder what the UK landscape – for which we are famous – will look like in years to come. If farmers find it more lucrative to farm wind and sun rather than crops and cattle we will need to bring in far more food from abroad, hardly ideal.
member
may be the local councillors could talk to the applicants about re locating there application to a more suitable site like the cricket club
Neil
The fact of the matter is that there is an Application to install the Wind Turbines at Stone Farm which is within 600 metres of a large Residential area. The only benefactors being the Owner who will get £80000 a year plus free energy & the Developer. This will not benefit the residents of Aston Lodge or Stone to any real effect, they will bring Noise, possible Health effects, Visual Eyesore, & impact Wildlife. Everyone affected needs to unite to ensure this does not proceed. There is a Public Meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 14th October at Little Stoke CC organised by local councillors. We need as many as possible to attend to show the level of opposition to this Application
member
I agree pingle lane may not be the right place, but we do need to move with the times,will someone remind me how long ago people protested about the mobile mast at Little Stoke CC ? , yet no ones been affected.
Don’t the cricket club have a large area above there club ? Iam sure they wont mind having these wind turbines there
Kaz
There is evidence to suggest that property values are affected by the positioning of these wind turbines near residential properties. That and combined with the constant noise from the blades plus the visual eye sore from the back of our house makes this a definite NO from us also.
I’m also concerned that allowing two to be constructed will set a precedent to put up more without consultation!
Allowing the wind turbines near Aston Lodge Estate must not be allowed to happen.
Ken
Why Stone?
Jim
Ten years ago we moved to Stone from a beautiful and historical town in Scotland called Stirling. During this period a wind farm was established just outside of Stirling – below is a link to an article from the Daily Mail newspaper that shows before and after photos – a no brainer as far as we are concerned – say NO and say it loudly.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-561163/The-shocking-picture-shows-wind-farm-disfigured-Britains-loveliest-landscapes.html
Martin Ralph
I’ve lost count of the wind farms I’ve passed where the majority of the turbines are not turning. The truth is that wind turbines are hopelessly inefficient and an unproven technology. Alternative energy generators such as wind turbines and solar energy are massively dependant on government subsidies and energy price guarantees paid for ,as usual, by the hapless consumer and taxpayer. As soon as the ‘sweeteners’ cease to underpin these forms of energy supply they will contract and make up a very small part of our energy supply.There is also the spurious argument regarding the number of jobs created by the green energy sector, the vast majority of the components that make up a wind turbine are manufactured overseas. If these turbines go ahead in Stone the only winners will be the builder, operator and the landowner, the rest of us will be left to pick up the bill and live with an eyesore.
Neil
No one has a problem with change but these Wind Turbines will be within 600m of properties on Aston Lodge Park. Many residents are not being properly consulted & are only getting info. from other residents. My main concerns are the impact on Health, Noise, the Environment, Property Values, Wildlife, & if allowed to proceed the opening of the ‘Floodgates’. Obviously people in the immediate vicinity will have greater concerns, but if this proceeds where next, will 2 Turbines suddenly become 8 etc…
richard
Makes me sad when people selfishly worry and comment regarding loss of value on house price. False arguement. As for noise pollution I guess if you live right under them then thats an issue, these are a fair distance away from residential homes and would put a stop to any expansion of aston lodge towards the town. Also it surprises me that people from the coppice est are complaining regarding noise. Well I guess those trains that pass your houses are extremly quiet.
Rebecca
I agree with Bill. We have to start ‘re-thinking’ our views on these wind turbines and not view them as ugly monstrosities but a new approach to sustainable energy. This proposal has my initial support.
Chris Evans
It’s about time people woke up to the need for the UK to join the real world. We need wind power, and we need high speed trains if we are to keep up to date with technological changes. It’s just like people yabbering on mobile phones all day then moaning about the need for new aerials! If we’re going to keep the lights on we need the power to be generated, and I’d much prefer wind power now to new nuclear power stations in 20 years time with its toxic waste lasting for generations!
Chris
Bill
Wind turbines produce clean energy. I think people should change their thinking that turbines are ugly and noisey to embrace this new source of energy. After all we do need electricity to maintain our quality of life. Lamp posts & electricity pylons are ugly too but we accept them as a necessary part of our landscape because. The same should be applied to Turbines.
Sally Cartwright
I strongly object to the proposed erection of 2 wind turbines on farmland overlooking Stone and disagree that the affect on views will be minor. They will be a ‘blot on the landscape’ and have an adverse affect on the landscape and townscape character. I hope that as many residents as possible will make their views known to Planning Officers at Stafford Borough Council. There are many other things to be considered including noise and reduction in property values and worries over opening floodgates for more of these monstrosities!
Tarka Lester
I suspect that I am too late for this. The same company have applied for one near us. The application has so many mistakes and omissions that I have suggested that it should be examined by the police to confirm that it is in order. I find it difficult to believe so many wrong facts and old maps could happen by accident. Also the picture in your case of Westbridge Park does nothing to illustrate what will be put there. Go and photograph a similar turbine and put it in the picture yourself. I would like to see your application but it would not open.