Wind farm plan likely to go ahead

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a wind farm near the junction of the M1 and M18 in Rotherham are expected to be approved on Thursday after the Government gave the go-ahead.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government decided not to “call in” Rotherham Borough Council’s decision to approve six new 132-metre turbines at Penny Hill in Ulley.

A letter from the Government says: “Having carefully considered the relevant planning issues raised by this proposal, together with all the representations received, the Secretary of State has concluded that his intervention would not be justified.

“The application does not, in the Secretary of State’s view, raised issues of more than local significance, which would require a decision by him.”

The planning application for the wind farm which was submitted by Banks Developments, has now gone back to Rotherham councillors for a final review before planning permission is formally given.

Almost 500 letters of objection were received by the authority before consent was granted earlier this year.

A petition with 1,792 names was submitted by protesters, who said that the turbines would have an “unacceptable” effect on the green belt landscape, would devalue local properties, would have a detrimental effect on wildlife in the area and would effect people’s health.

Other campaigners said the wind farm could prove a safety hazard as the turbines, which will generate electricity for the equivalent of about a tenth of Rotherham's homes, could distract motorway drivers.

But more than 1,000 people registered their support for the turbines, which together will generate 31,000 and 45,700 megawatt hours of electricity each year and save between 333,250 and 491, 275 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over a 25-year life span.