Wind turbine proposal turned down

The wind farm was proposed for a site near Market Drayton

Plans which would have seen seven 360ft(110m) wind turbines built have been turned down by councillors - despite having officers' backing.

North Shropshire District Council's planning committee said the plans for the wind farm near Norton-in-Hales were not in keeping with the local area.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council refused an application over access to the proposed site, near Market Drayton.

Nuon Renewables is expected to appeal against the decision.

The company had said the turbines would produce enough energy to power 6,000 homes.

More than 2,000 letters of objection were sent to the council by local residents.

'Adverse impact'

Planning officers though recommended the plans should get through.

However, councillors on the Shropshire authority's planning committee said the turbines would have had "an unacceptable adverse impact" on listed buildings nearby.

John Beckett, the cabinet's environmental spokesman, said: "Having considered all relevant planning policies, members were of the opinion that the impacts of the scheme were unacceptable.

"Nuon UK Ltd now has the right to appeal against this application."

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's planning committee had refused an application for vehicle access from the B5026 in Staffordshire.