Turbine plans facing opposition

A former colliery could change from coal to wind production

Plans to build a wind turbine on the site of a business park in Nottinghamshire are facing opposition from local residents.

People living close to the Shireoaks Triangle near Worksop say the 15m-high turbine will ruin the landscape.

Nottinghamshire County Council say the development, which includes the turbine, would create 75 jobs.

It will also help the authority maintain its policy of ensuring all new buildings are eco-friendly.

Dave Ashurst, a resident of Shireoaks for 40 years, said he did not approve of the wind turbine's location.

"I do not want to see these changes in our village.

"There is a Claylands Industrial Estate where it is infested with all industrial buildings of all types.

An eyesore

"I don't disapprove necessarily of that - because it brings jobs and industry to this area - but why the hell can't these such things be installed on land such as that.

"Why has it got to be stuck right on the edge of a pretty village?"

Mr Ashurst has written two letters to the council because he has such strong feelings against the plans for the former colliery.

Shireoaks has been voted the county's best kept village for several years.

County council spokesman David Mather said: " We have recently undertaken research looking into the state if the local economy and we believe that this centre will help the local economy.

"It is part of the county council's development proposals to make all our new buildings energy efficient and environmentally sustainable."