Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the first application of the meeting, item 6(a), application number 146461, to erect 1no. wind turbine on land at Hillcrest Park, Caistor. This was an application deferred from the 12 July 2023 Planning Committee meeting. Additional information had been submitted by the applicant. This included visualisations of the turbine, details of the energy output and noise information. This was all detailed and assessed within the report.

At the meeting on 12 July 2023, it was resolved that the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) be invited to attend the next hearing of the application, in order to explain their objection to the proposal. Members were advised that, whilst it was not possible for them to attend the meeting, they had sent a video to be played to the Committee. This arrangement had been made with prior agreement from the Chairman.  The Officer gave a short presentation about the application, and then presented the requested contribution from a representative from NATS.

In the contribution from NATS, the representative explained that his team's remit was to analyse and mitigate any potential harm to aviation safety. The speaker explained that the technology used in radars used pulses of energy and tracked the 'echoes' of those to assist aircraft in avoiding potential harm. These safety systems utilised a combination of filter and tracking algorithms to stagger the flights and aircraft. Members learned that wind turbines would severely weaken the algorithm's effectiveness, with the perspective from the radars being indistinguishable from aeroplanes. This had the consequential effect of creating potentially dangerous situations.

The speaker stated there were ways to mitigate the impacts of wind turbines near airports. In parts of Lincolnshire, there were small-scale developments of wind turbines that operated safely in compliance with NATS guidance. In relation to the application, the representative explained that work would have to be undertaken in the radar system for any 'blank' identification issues to be covered. In concluding the presentation, the speaker stated that NATS were willing to remove their objection if the application could be conditioned to comply with their advice.

The Chairman invited the first registered speaker, Mr Oliver Lawrence, the applicant, to address the Committee.

In his statement, the applicant explained that the impact on visual amenities was limited, with the turbine looking and functioning like a windmill. Members heard that the site was surrounded by towers, with some above 70 metres tall, which made the size of the proposed turbine miniature in comparison. The applicant stated that a similar turbine had been recently approved and queried whether there was a disparity in the treatment of the application.

With regard to  the electricity capacity, Members heard this was for the site's provisions, with the cost being 33 pence per unit and the ability to sell the electricity for 4.5 pence. Mr Lawrence stated that Caistor's Neighbourhood Plan supported locally sourced energy resources and encouraged similar types of development. He emphasised that electricity from wind turbines also worked well in winter weather and was pioneering to ensure net zero emissions for places in Lincolnshire. The applicant's view was that the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan was ambitious and aimed to make the area net zero emissions compliant, with the misalignment to be met with the application.

'The applicant stated his opposition to the mitigations proposed by NATS, suggesting there were financial reasons behind the raised objection rather than it being only a matter of safety. He concluded by focusing on the site's highlighted success and that using a wind turbine could power and support small businesses.

The Chairman thanked the speaker for his statement and invited the registered objector, Mrs Jan Lyus, to address the Committee.

In her statement, the speaker stated that the application site was in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with protected and enhanced landscapes. In the application, the proposed turbine height was set to be triple that of the units in the adjacent lot. The speaker stated that the Lincolnshire Wolds Officer objected to the application further.

In focusing on using a wind turbine, Mrs Lyus stated solar panels were as effective in winter, and the wind turbine would still make noise every time. She stated that the proposed wind turbine was too close to residential properties, highlighting that Scottish wind turbines were not allowed to be built close to dwellings and Lincolnshire County Council had a press release in the recent past that focused on minimum distances. She further noted that there was no precedent for a wind turbine to be set this close to dwellings, with noise levels being heard 2 kilometres away and dwellings only 170 metres away.

Mrs Lyus highlighted other potential harms and risks, such as the damage to the environment during construction as well as hypothetical concerns such as fire or collapse. She further highlighted the objection from NATS, suggesting the Authority should not take the slightest risk with air safety, and focused on policy S14, which featured the policy on acceptable impacts on aviation. The speaker stated her opinion that the potential consequences of having the wind turbine were unacceptable, and the application failed to consider comments from the relevant parties, causing serious safety risks. Mrs Lyus concluded by strongly requesting that the application be refused.

The Chairman thanked the speaker for her statement and invited comments from Members of the Committee. Members referenced that wind turbine designs could be different, highlighted the impact of rising electricity prices on small businesses, and the concerns raised by NATS. Several Members recognised during the debate that they could not redesign the application in front of them.

In response to a number of queries regarding the NATS conditions, Members learned the organisation had objections but that these would have been resolved if the applicant had agreed to make amendments to the application. The Senior Development Management Officer further explained that the objection from NATS was that the submitted application would affect air traffic control as it stood in its present form.

Having been moved and seconded, the Chairman took the vote and it was unanimously agreed that planning permission, as detailed in the Officer’s recommendation, be REFUSED.

Note:               Councillor P. Morris returned to the Council Chamber at 7.00 pm following the conclusion of the item.