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Giant wind turbine in Ellesmere ‘could distract motorists’
Credit: Staff Reporter | Border Counties Advertizer | Published date: 17 August 2014 | www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk ~~
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An application to build a giant wind turbine in the Ellesmere countryside has been objected by the local highway authority who have suggested it could be “visual distraction” to road users.
The proposed giant turbine would stand at 327ft (99.7m) near to the A495 principal road which links Oswestry and Ellesmere .
The application caused outrage among many locals who feel it would ruin the landscape.
Angry people have left objection comments on the planning portal, but the most significant has come from the Developing Highways department of Shropshire Council..
The highways agency have expressed concerns that the imposing wind turbine could distract drivers who are driving down the busy A459.
The national speed limit road is already classed as a dangerous road due to the amount of people overtaking.
Mark Wootton, area manager of the developing highways argues that the planning application did not consider the “adverse impact” that the turbine would have on the road.
He believes some drivers would be focusing on the turbine instead of the “prevailing highway and traffic conditions.”
“The proposed wind turbine is a significant structure in the landscape which is visible from the adjacent A459,” he said.
“If drivers are able to view the wind turbine from a distance over a continuous length of road the distraction to a driver is minimised.
“Conversely therefore if a drivers view limited, restricted or intermittent it follows that the level of distraction would be greater and more harmful.”
The planning agents Intech Clean Energy do not state that this will be an issue, stating that the distance between any road and the turbine is further than the Highways Development Control Team requires.
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