164ft wind turbine is planned for farm

A 164ft wind turbine which will dwarf surrounding electricity pylons will go up in the heart of Staffordshire, under plans revealed today.

Rugeley based rural firm BJB Farming Ltd wants to put the turbine on land to the north of Braddocks Barn, in Hamstall Ridware, eight miles north of Lichfield and four miles east of Rugeley.

London-based Empowering Wind Group, acting on behalf of BJB Farming, has sent detailed proposals for consideation by Lichfield District Council.

Documents show the turbine would tower over a standard electricity pylon measuring 115ft.

BJB Farming wants to use the turbine to generate electricity for their arable business. Bosses want to erect the turbine as soon as possible if plans are approved by planning chiefs at Lichfield District Council.

Councillor Gerald Molineux Brereton, who lives in Rugeley, said the height of the structure would make it an "eyesore".

He said:?"Something of that height will be an eyesore and I'm sure it won't go down well with residents."

The 500-kilowatt turbine would be 3,937ft away from the nearest house and the applicant says the land has "good wind speed" which is a rich source of power.

The application sent to the council states: "The anticipated energy output of the turbine will ensure future farm development requiring mains electricity will be significantly less reliant on power purchased from energy wholesalers."

The application continues: "Undoubtedly from close up the mast would dominate people's perception of the rural area.

"However, because the proposal would be a single structure in an extensive countryside area, its visibility and adverse impact would not be so great so as to fundamentally compromise ether residents' or visitors' experience of this rural location."