Farm plans to harness wind power

An application to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council proposed fitting a 15kw tower at The Hole Farm in Halfway House, Shrewsbury.

The plans were granted by officers at SABC under delegated powers. The move comes after it was revealed the 140-cow company faces energy costs of about £5,000 a year.

A letter to the authority said the dairy was proposing to fit the tower to combat rising costs.

It said: “This cost is becoming increasingly onerous hence this application which seeks consent to utilize a natural resource of the farm in the form of wind to help control the cost of the energy used, whilst at the same time contributing positively to the thrust of Government policy in respect of renewable energy.

“In considering the project due regard has been made to ensure the siting of the turbine does not impact adversely on the enjoyment of the landscape by other residents in the locality as well as visitors.”

The height to the turbine hub is 15 metres and the length from the hub to the blade tip is 4.8 metres.

The type of turbine that will be used is a Proven, this means there will be less noise being emitted and that it will be able to tolerate all kinds of wind avoiding the need for a cut-out system.

Because the turbine does not need to be stopped in times of high winds it maximizes the opportunity for the production of energy.

The company becomes one of a number to utilize wind power in the area. Bayston Hill Memorial Hall was fitted with a turbine earlier this year and chairman of the hall committee, Allan Caswell, said they are already reaping the benefits.

He said: “We are saving money on our energy bills. It was well worth having the turbine installed at the hall.”

The high performance Proven turbine is the result of 25 years of research and now has more than 800 installations worldwide.