THE controversial wind turbine at Pannal Primary School was given the go-ahead this week despite strong objections from both local residents and action groups.
Councillors at a North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) planning committee voted by si
x votes to three in favour of the 15m turbine on the school’s playing field near Pannal Green.
Vice-Chair of the School Governors and mother-of-two, Janet O' Connor said: “We are more than delighted at the recent news. It is fantastic for the children and a real victory for them. Our children are much more interested in environmental issues now than perhaps we ever were at their age. This really is part of the future for them.”
As reported in the Harrogate Advertiser, Mrs O' Connor believes the turbine will not only save the school vital money, but teach children and the wider community invaluable educational lessons on renewable and sustainable energy.
She addressed the planning meeting herself this week and claimed the turbine would be quieter than a domestic dish washer.
NYCC Planning Officer Laura Hallimond, who recommended the application for approval predicted the turbine would save the school around £2,500 a year on electricity bills.
She also said the turbine would be located 92 metres away from the nearest property while the only noise created would be the movement of the blades “swooshing” through the air.
The school say the money for the project, estimated to run into tens of thousands of pounds, will be raised through electricity company grants, school fund-raising and other business sponsorship.
Harrogate Borough Council, Crimple Valley Society and Pannal Village Society have all strongly objected to the plans and put forward their representations at this week’s planning meeting.
The societies both say the turbine would be an intrusion and detrimental to the area lying in the Crimple Valley Special Landscape.
They also object to any potential noise the turbine could create and its impact upon residents living in the village.
Spokesmen from both Pannal Village Society and Crimple Valley Society have also claimed, in this newspaper, how there has not been adequate initial public consultation on the plans.
Coun Cliff Trotter (Con, Stray), a county council councillor who voted against the plans this week said: “The school could have been more in touch with the local community.”
He said he was particularly concerned about the cost of the turbine for such a small school and felt the approval could lead to more of the district’s school’s applying for turbines.
A spokesperson at NYCC said: "The County Council is currently working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the use of wind turbines is one way to help us to achieve this"
Pannal Primary School hopes to see work begin on the turbine this year.
susannah.berry@ypn.co.uk
