Opposition to wind turbine bid

Lewes District Council planners have recommended councillors approve a bid for a turbine at the Gas Station in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in Juggs Road.

The turbine would be more eight metres tall and provide power to the site, replacing an electric cable system.

But the application by Southern Gas Networks has run into opposition from Kingston Parish Council, the South Downs Society and English Heritage.

A final decision will be made by councillors sitting on the district council's planning committee.

Planning officers have produced a report outlining the arguments for and against the application.

It states : 'The parish council objects to the application on the grounds it would not respect the natural beauty of the Downland area ... and is not consistent with the quiet enjoyment of the area by the public, and would not respect the distinctive qualities of the AONB.

'The South Downs Society said it would destroy the landscape character and seriously diminish the enjoyment experienced by the visitor.'

'English Heritage believes the proposed wind turbine would have a detrimental effect on the setting of the proposed monument.'

However, the South Downs Joint Committee has given its backing to the plan, saying it supports small scale turbines if the visual impact isn't harmful, and said the proposed turbine is only 'modest' in size.

District council planners said the turbine would be 'relatively inconspicuous to the passer-by'.

The report concluded : 'The visual impact has already, to an extent been affected not only by the gas pressure station, but by a series of domineering masts in the wider landscape.

'The addition of a fairly unobtrusive wind turbine will have a neutral affect and cause no material harm.'

A final decision on the application will be made at a public meeting on January 23, 5pm, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne's Crescent, Lewes.