Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) South Yorkshire
protecting the countryside - for the nation, for the future

A TURBINE TOO FAR? COUNTRYSIDE GROUP’S CONCERN OVER TOO MANY APPLICATIONS IN UPPER DON VALLEY.

Countryside watchdog the Campaign to Protect Rural England (South Yorkshire) has raised concerns over increase in applications for wind turbines in a valuable South Yorkshire landscape and objected to the latest proposals at Blackstone Edge, near Barnsley.

CPRE believes that South Yorkshire’s renewable energy targets for wind generated electricity will be met by other sites, including the recent application for nearby Crow Edge which it supported, and say that plans for three, 100 metre turbines at Blackstone Edge are unnecessary.

The Blackstone Edge site and its surroundings is in the Green Belt and is close to the Peak District National Park boundary and CPRE believes the cumulative, negative impact of further turbines is sufficient to refuse the plans.

While it is important for South Yorkshire to meet its renewable energy targets, it is just as vital that our special landscapes are not over-crowded with wind turbines, explains John King, CPRE South Yorkshire’s Planning Officer. Renewable targets should be met through a mixture of technologies, many of which have a lower impact on the landscape. As the wind power targets for South Yorkshire have already been met we urge Barnsley council to reject these plans and pursue alternative options.

Barnsley Council is expected to consider the application at its June meeting.