Windfarm plan faces objections

Planning permission for a windfarm in south Norfolk looks set to be refused.

South Norfolk Council planning officers have recommended that permission be withheld from plans by renewable power firm Enertrag to build seven 125m high turbines.

Opposition to the Hempnall windfarm has come both from local residents, the Norwich Airport and Norfolk County Council’s highways department.

Resident’s complaints have focused on the effect of the windfarm on the landscape.

The airport claims the turbines would conflict with requirements for the safe operation of aircraft.

According to the highways department, the junction of the B1332/B1527 does not have enough visibility for routing and access of construction traffic.

However, the East of England Development Agency has written in support of the project ahead of the district council’s south west area planning committee meeting on August 5th.

The agency says constructing the windfarm would contribute towards meeting the regions renewable energy targets.

South Norfolk recently granted planning permission for Lotus to put up three wind turbines at its Hethel headquarters. The turbines are the first to have received planning permission in the district.