An alien turbine

(Letter to Ombudsman) I am writing to complain about the decision, made by the Planning Inspector, Kay Sheffield, to grant permission for the erection of a wind turbine at the above address.

In paragraph 20 of the inspector’s decision, she acknowledged that there was ‘no dispute that the turbine would be visible within the landscape ‘but noted that the issue to be determined was whether ‘the development would be likely to have a significant adverse effect’. We, the residents of Sardis, Hill Mountain and Ashdale Lane, the Community Council, the Local Planning Authority and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority maintain that the development would have a significant adverse effect on the visual amenity of the area and, in particular, on the residents whose properties are adjacent to the fields at Nash Mountain Farm.

The wind turbine is not a static, low-slung farm building which can be relatively easily screened by vegetation. It is an alien, towering, vertical structure, which cannot be ignored, emitting not only noise but movement – which makes it even more conspicuous, in the previously quiet and tranquil countryside where we, the residents, have chosen to live. Kay Sheffield’s decision would have been reasonable had the applicant asked for permission to erect solar panels on the roof of her large barn. The decision to grant permission for erection of a 34 metre wind turbine in close proximity to her many neighbours, however, is totally unreasonable.

Kay Sheffield has reached a judgement based on reasoning that ‘no reasonable person could have reached.’ The wind turbine would dominate the landscape and blight the lives of those who live within sight and sound of it.

We beg you to investigate and overturn Kay Sheffield’s unreasonable decision.

VIV HALL

Llangwm