Protesters fighting against plans for a 60-metre wind monitoring mast near Stone turned out in force for a planning inspector’s site visit.
Severn Trent Water is appealing against Stafford Borough Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for the mast at Aston Hall Farm in Aston by Stone.
On Tuesday planning inspector Dee Burrows from the Planning Inspectorate attended the site as part of the appeal process. A decision is expected in five to eight weeks’ time.
Around 50 campaigners opposing the mast were there as she arrived at the site, and the inspector spoke briefly with members of action group Stop (Stone and Trent Valley Oppose Severn Trent Water) as well as borough council and appellants’ representatives.
Stop secretary Keith Washington said: “It was about showing our presence and I think it went very well.
“The inspector said she wasn’t happy to have everybody going around the site with her so she would do the site visit on her own.
They’re not obliged to listen to anybody - they’re just there to view the site.” Stopst is concerned that if the appeal is allowed it will open the doors to wind turbines being installed in the area.
“We are not happy they want to stick a 60-metre high mast in an open meadow- currently there is nothing there taller than trees that are five or six metres high,” Mr Washington added.
A Severn Trent Water spokeswoman said: “Severn Trent Water has been collecting data about our site in Aston by Stone to establish whether the site has the potential to support wind turbines. As part of that process we applied for planning permission to install a wind monitoring mast.
“Last year we generated 20 per cent of our total electricity usage from renewable sources. We are committed to increasing the efficiency of our business and reducing the impact we have on the environment. Wind power is a key part of this sustainable plan and we understand the need for the responsible development of appropriate sites.
“We shall continue to keep the community aware of any developments within our plans.
