20 formal objections to new Sheepdrove turbine

The application has so far generated 22 letters from members of the public - and all but one of them are objections.
Typical issues raised concern the perceived potential impact on the landscape and on horses.
A spokeswoman for the Friends of the Lambourn Downs (FOLD), Jane Rowlinson, also registered a formal objection, stating: “The land is designated the highest level of AONB....the blight far outweighs the benefit. If granted, the farm would without doubt apply for more and you would be powerless to stop it. The downs will be peppered with an accumulation of turbines.
“It would be seen from all over the downs... it is so tempting to abrogate responsibility for protecting the downs in their current impeccable state and grant permission.
“Think of future generations able to enjoy the desolation and peace in this increasingly hectic world.”
One resident, Matthew Hooks, bucked the trend by supporting the application.
He stated: “There are two existing wind turbines around the farm, and neither of them is intrusive in any way. The landscape is a man made landscape, with many roads, buildings and other structures.
“Another wind turbine will help to maintain the landscape, by limiting possibly harmful emissions. As one of the nearest
neighbours to this proposed turbine, we are fully in support and feel that there will be no adverse impact on the environment.”
After consultation, Lambourn Parish Council decided to support the application on the grounds that it would “future-proof the Lambourn Valley by encouraging sustainability.”
A similar application last year generated vociferous – but unltimately futile – protests.
Last March, West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee voted to overrule objections by conservationists and to allow an 18 metre high construct.
At that time, protesters had gathered outside the council committe meeting beforehand, angry at a perceived blot on the landscape and a potential threat to horses.
The latest application is for the erection of an identical Evance R9000 turbine on land to the south of Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
In the application, agents for the applicant state: “Due to the turbine’s restricted scale, we believe no strategic views across the area will be affected...whilst it is accepted there will be some impact in the landscape, it is not considered that the impact would be so adverse as to justify the refusal of the application for this reason alone.”
Members of the public can express their views, for and against, on West Berkshire Council’s online planning pages by visiting the website at

then going to the planning section and using the reference 13/00833/FUL