APP 02

Application Number: 13/01925/FUL Minor Installation of a single wind turbine with a maximum tip height of 67 metres (hub height of 40 metres and rotor diameter of 54 metres)

AT Malt Mill Farm, Road,

FOR Rex Park Ltd

Target: 4th November 2013

Ward: North & Hanslope Parish: Hanslope Parish Council

Report Author/Case Officer: Jeremy Lee Contact Details: 01908 252316 [email protected]

Team Leader: Nicola Wheatcroft Team Leader Strategic Applications Team Contact Details: 01908 252274 [email protected]

1.0 INTRODUCTION (A brief explanation of what the application is about)

1.1 The Site The application site is 530m north-west of Malt Mill Farm Equestrian Centre in pasture land located near the top of the eastern slope of the broad Tove Valley that stretches between Hanslope and Yardley Gobion. Both the and the Railway pass through the valley and a number of footpaths and bridleways criss-cross it. Views along this stretch of the valley are currently dominated by Hanslope Parish Church, St James the Great, which acts as a landmark and focal point across and along the valley. Details of the location of the site and its relationship to surrounding properties can be seen in the plans attached to this report.

1.2 The Proposal The proposed turbine would be located on concrete foundations and vehicular access would be achieved via a new access road accessed from an existing track running from Malt Mill Farm. The application as originally submitted showed a turbine with a tip height of 86m, but it has been amended to show a turbine with a tip height of 67m. Details of the proposal as described above can be seen in the plans appended to this report.

2.0 RELEVANT POLICIES (The most important policy considerations relating to this application)

2.1 National Policy

National Planning Policy Framework paragraphs: 14 – Presumption in favour of sustainable development 17 – Core Planning Principles 28 – Supporting a prosperous rural economy 93-95 – Renewable energy 97-98 – Renewable energy 109 – Conserving and enhancing the environment 112 – Best and most versatile agricultural land 118 – Biodiversity enhancement 128- 129, 131-134– Historic environment

Planning Practice Guidance – Renewable and low carbon energy (April 2014)

2.2 Local Policy

Core Strategy CSA – NPPF – Presumption in favour of sustainable development CS9 – Strategy for the Rural Area CS14 – Large Scale Renewable Energy Schemes CS19 – The Historic and Natural Environment

Adopted Local Plan 2001-2011 S10 – Open Countryside D1- Impact of Development on Locality D5 – Renewable Energy HE1 – Protection of Archaeological Sites HE5 – Development Affecting the Setting of a Listed Building NE1 – Nature Conservation Sites NE2 – Protected Species NE4 – Conserving and Enhancing Landscape Character T10 – Traffic

3.0 MAIN ISSUES (The issues which have the greatest bearing on the decision)

3.1 The main issue is the impact of the proposal upon the setting of the Listed, St James the Great, Hanslope Parish Church and other heritage assets and upon the character and appearance of the area in general. It is considered that the proposed turbine would dominate views of Hanslope and in particular of St James the Great from the west and south-west which would significantly detract from the setting of the Church and the appearance of the valley in general. It is considered that the impact would be so significant as to outweigh any economic and ecological benefits that would derive from the renewable energy that would be generated by the development.

4.0 RECOMMENDATION (The decision that officers recommend to the Committee)

4.1 It is recommended that planning permission be refused for the reasons set out at the end of this report.

5.0 CONSIDERATIONS (An explanation of the main issues that have lead to the officer Recommendation)

5.1 Impact Upon Heritage Assets

The Church of St James the Great at Hanslope sits on the ridge above the Tove Valley and is by far the most prominent feature in views of the ridge from the west and south-west acting as a landmark that defines Hanslope. Whilst the proposed turbine would be a little over a kilometre from St James the Great, its height and prominent location would ensure that it would be a feature that would rival the Church for visual dominance and diminish the contribution the Church makes to the landscape and sense of place. It is considered that by diminishing the value of St James the Great as a landmark and visual reference point the proposal would diminish the Church’s value as a Heritage asset.

5.2 The proposed turbine would also impact on other heritage assets in the area, including the Conservation Areas at Hanslope and Castlethorpe and the Church of Saint Simon and Saint Jude at Castlethorpe. However, it is considered that the impact on St James the Great is of the greatest concern. The harm that has been identified should be given significant weight when weighing up the planning balance applicable to the application. This has been underlined by the recent High Court and Court of Appeal decisions which quashed a Planning Inspector’s decision to allow a wind turbine development at Barnwell Manor in .

5.3 Impact Upon the Appearance of the Area

The landscape to the west of Hanslope is dominated by the ridge on which the village sits. In some views from the west and south west, this ridge is seen with the existing wind turbines at in Northamptonshire and further off the turbines at Petsoe End in the background. The turbines at Roade in particular intrude into views of the ridge and the Tove Valley below.

5.4 The proposal, by introducing a turbine into the foreground of these views would increase the sense that the village of Hanslope and the Tove valley in general are dominated by wind turbines. It is considered that this would have a detrimental impact upon the appearance of the area particularly in views from the many footpaths and bridleways which cross the western slopes of the Tove Valley

5.5 Impact Upon Residential Amenities

The closest residential property (Badger’s Balney) to the proposed turbine would be around 500m to the north. The clearest views of the turbine from residential properties would be from parts of Williams Close and Western Drive where many houses back onto the fields leading to the turbine site, but the closest of these would be over 700m to the north-east of the turbine. The proposal would clearly have a significant impact upon views from these residential properties. However, in view of the distances involved it is considered that the impact would not be so significant as to warrant refusal on that basis.

5.6 Concerns have been raised by objectors about the potential impact of noise and shadow flicker from the turbine. The applicants have submitted data in support of their application which demonstrates that the development would not have an unacceptable impact upon the amenities of residential properties in the vicinity.

5.7 Shadow flicker can occur where the sun is viewed directly through the blades of a turbine. In Britain this effect can only occur (because of the height and movement of the sun) between 130 degrees north-west and 130 degrees north-east of the turbine and it has been showed that the effect is only experienced at a distance of 10 times the diameter of the turbine blades, which in this case would give a distance of 510m. The impact of the shadow flicker would decrease the further the property would be from the turbine.

5.8 In this instance the only residential property that could be said to be potentially impacted by shadow flicker would be Badger’s Balney. However, at 500m from the turbine it would be close to the limit of any potential shadow flicker effect. It is considered that given the distance of Badger’s Balney from the turbine and the trees and hedges between the house and the turbine, any shadow flicker that would occur would not have a significant impact upon the resident’s amenities.

5.9 Conclusions

Renewable energy has an important role to play in the economic and environmental well-being of the country. However, this significant benefit must be balanced against the impact renewable energy schemes have upon the appearance of an area and in particular upon the setting of heritage assets. In this case it is considered that the impact upon the setting of St James the Great Church and the Tove Valley in general would outweigh the benefits the turbine would generate. It is therefore recommended that planning permission be refused for the reasons set out below.

6.0 REASONS (The reasons that officers recommend that the application should be refused. The reasons must be ones that the Council can demonstrate with evidence, should the applicant appeal against the refusal.)

1. The proposed 67m high three bladed rotating wind turbine would introduce a conspicuous visual intrusion into the open rural context of St James the Great and other heritage assets in the locality to their detriment contrary to the provisions of Policies HE5 and HE6 of the Adopted Milton Keynes Local Plan, Policy CS19 of the Adopted Milton Keynes Core Strategy and paragraphs 132- 134 of the National planning Policy Framework.

2. The proposed development would be located in a prominent location on the western edge of Hanslope and on the slope that dominates the attractive valley between Hanslope and Yardley Gobion. The proposal would introduce a feature that would dominate the valley and the setting of Hanslope village to the detriment of the appearance of the area contrary to policies D1 and D5 of the Adopted Milton Keynes Local Plan.

Appendix to 13/01925/FUL

A1.0 RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY (A brief outline of previous planning decisions affecting the site – this may not include every planning application relating to this site, only those that have a bearing on this particular case)

A1.1 13/00632/EIASCR Screening opinion request for the installation of one wind turbine. Environmental Impact Assessment Not Required 03.05.2013

A2.0 ADDITIONAL MATTERS

(Matters which were also considered in producing the Recommendation)

A2.1 Impact Upon Protected Species

Whilst the proposal as submitted does not satisfactorily address the impact the proposal would have upon protected species this could be overcome through the imposition of conditions. It is not therefore considered that this warrants refusal of the application.

A2.2 Impact Upon Radio/Television/Mobile Phone Signals

The Council has no evidence that the proposal would impact upon wireless signals.

A2.3 Vehicular Access/Construction Route

Whilst the proposal as submitted does not satisfactorily address the access to the site and the management of construction traffic this could be overcome through the imposition of conditions. It is not therefore considered that this warrants refusal of the application.

A3.0 CONSULTATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS (Who has been consulted on the application and the responses received. The following are a brief description of the comments made. The full comments can be read via the Council’s web site)

Comments Officer Response

A3.1 English Heritage

Reducing the height of the turbine has reduced the impact Noted of the proposal upon the setting of Saint Simon and Saint Jude at Castlethorpe to a level where it would not have a significant impact on the building. Whilst the reduction in height has also reduced the impact upon St James the Great Church at Hanslope from some views it would still have a major impact on views from the west.

We consider that the level of harm would be at the higher end of the scale and the Council should give great weight to the impact of the proposal on St James the Great Church when weighing up the harm against public benefit in accordance with paragraph 134 of the NPPF.

Senior Landscape Architect

I considered the landscape document references & Noted methodologies acceptable, however this revised application Environmental Appraisal (section 5.3) refers to ‘Guidelines for Landscape & Visual Assessment’ 2002 & 2009. These guideline documents have been superseded with the current & most applicable version published in 2013 (3rd Edition), so all

assessment must be based on this. The applicant must confirm what edition the assessment followed & if it was earlier than the 3rd edition, then the assessment may not be accurate & the applicant must demonstrate adherence to the 3rd edition.

Viewpoint 1 continues to omit reference to St James Church & again I request the assessment considers impact. Visual impact upon the dominant setting of St James Church could be profound.

Beds, Bucks And Oxon Wildlife Trust

See para A2.1 above Objection on grounds of inadequate provisions to protect against loss of legally protected species.

Bats

The proposal presents a threat to bats and the application includes no proposals for the post construction monitoring for bat species and mechanisms for avowing killing or injuring bats through collisions with the turbine. Should the

Council permit the application a condition is requested to address this.

Birds

The information provided with the application regarding impact on protected species. The Council should require additional information before approving the application and should impose conditions requiring post construction monitoring and impact avoidance measures.

Hedgerow

Any planning permission should be subject to a condition regarding replacement hedges.

Highways Development Control

Additional information is required to be submitted by the Noted. See para A2.3 applicant to state the number of vehicle movements associated with the development together with tracking diagrams to show the turning arrangements at the access off the public highway provided to fully assess the impact of the proposal.

Councils Countryside Officer

No comments received

Landscape Services Manager – Trees

No comments received

Natural

No objections subject to conditions regarding protected Noted. species and bio diversity.

Civil Aviation Authority

No objections. Structures more than 150m in height must be lit in accordance with the Air Navigation Order.

Conservation And Archaeology

St James Church is grade I listed and hence a building of Noted. exceptional architectural or historic interest. Much of the interest is directly attributable to the fabric of the church but, in my view, the setting also contributes considerably to the building’s worth. This is because in its design the unusually high church spire seems always to have been intended to dominate the landscape hereabouts. Any new prominent visual distraction could erode that dominance and, in turn, compromise that element of the church’s significance.

I have concluded that from vantage points to the west a turbine will not only compete with the spire of St James it will actually be the primary visual feature. From those specific vantage points my conclusion is that the impact on the setting and views of the church would be so severe that the harm to that element of significance derived from those particular views of the church would be substantial. More generally across the wider vicinity the harm to setting caused by the proposal may be less than substantial but likely to be highly intrusive and distracting nevertheless.

In concluding that there is an adverse impact on the setting of St James (and other historic buildings and places in the surrounding area) and assuming that the harm to the wider setting, whilst potentially severe in places, is held to be less than substantial overall, a case still has to be made for the proposal that weighs the harm caused to significance against any public benefits that are accrued (NPPF paragraph 134).

This balance must be made taking full account of those aspects of the scheme that cause harm and those that weigh in favour of the proposed development, bearing in mind the great weight that is given to the conservation of designated heritage assets and their setting.

I therefore advise that in principle and in detail the scheme conflicts with national and local conservation policies (MKLP HE5 and HE6) intended to safeguard the setting of designated heritage assets and should therefore be refused.

Environment Agency

No comments

Northamptonshire County Highways

Concerned about the impact of construction traffic upon Noted. See para A2.3 roads and bridges maintained by Northamptonshire County Council. Requests conditions requiring submission of a Construction Management Plan and a Traffic management Plan. They also request conditions which would be more appropriately included in a Highway agreement.

Councils Archaeologists

No objections

Highways Agency

No objections

Environmental Health Manager

No comments received

Footpath Officer No comments received

Ramblers Association

No comments received

National Grid

No comments received

Network Rail

No objections

Anglian Water

No comments received

The Office of Communications

No objections

Parish – Hanslope

The Parish Council is aware that a height reduction has now Noted. been introduced, however the Council feels that its original objections still apply; a. Unacceptable visual intrusion b. Impact on the landscape, particularly in relation to Heritage Assets such as St James the Great Church in Hanslope c. Distance from footpath (does not conform with recommend HSE and SPD distances) d. Impact on Ecology and wildlife (bats and birds)

Parish - Cum Little Linford

Concerned that the turbine would be close to footpaths and Noted. The Wind Turbines SPD has been withdrawn would breach the SPD. pending further work.

St James the Great and St Simon and St Jude Parochial Church Council

Objects on grounds of impact upon the setting of St James Noted. The Wind Turbines SPD has been withdrawn the Great. The spire of the church is a significant aspect of pending further work. what defines the community’s identity and sense of belonging well beyond that merely of church members and is included in the logos of many village clubs, societies and organisations

South Northants DC

Objects on grounds of intrusion into the setting of the Noted. Special Landscape Area and to a number of designated heritage assets within South Northamptonshire.

Joint Radio Company Ltd

No objections

MOD – Infrastructure

No objections subject to a condition regarding lighting for Noted. aircraft safety.

Castlethorpe Parish Council

Object on the grounds:

1. The turbine would dominate the landscape, in Noted. particular in relation to heritage assets such as St James the Great Church. 2. The proposal would be too close to residential Noted. properties and would have an overpowering impact upon them.

Grafton Regis Parish Meeting

Grafton Regis overlooks the Tove valley to the East and Noted. Hanslope is a major part of our skyline/horizon. Standing proud on that skyline is the remarkably beautiful steeple of Hanslope church, itself an attraction for visitors to the area. Currentl, it is the only permanent structure on the immediate eastern skyline. Further to the North East, along the same skyline, we have now the multiple turbine wind farm on the M1. Quite frankly, it is an eyesore and damaging to the amenity of Grafton Regis. To place yet one more turbine, close to and much higher than the beautiful church steeple is to ruin entirely a piece of England's natural beauty, and a view that I treasure every day of my life. The surrounds of Grafton now are threatened with multiple applications for wind farms, solar panel farms etc. This is bat country, this is horse riding country, this is the pathway for swans and ducks travelling along the valley from feeding to roost. There are peregrine falcons, there are buzzards, ground nesting birds etc., all of which will be impacted adversely by a noise and flicker generating turbine.

Yardley Gobion Parish Council

Object on grounds of height, scale, siting and location which Noted. would intrude into the setting of the Special landscape Area and cause significant harm to designated heritage assets.

Shutlanger Parish Council

Object on grounds of height, scale, siting and location which Noted. would intrude into the setting of the Special landscape Area and cause significant harm to designated heritage assets. This impact would be exacerbated by the cumulative impact of the proposal with other turbines in the area.

Local Residents The occupiers of the following properties were notified of the application: 1, 2, 4 & 5 Carriers Close Hanslope Hanslope Methodist Church High Street Hanslope 1A, 2–6 (cons), 8–12 (cons), 14–54 (cons) & 56 St James Close Hanslope 1 – 22 (cons) Lincoln Court Keswick Road Hanslope 1-8 (cons) Vicarage Court Park Road Hanslope 1,6 & 8-18 (cons) Weavers End Hanslope Christmas Cottage 4A Gold Street Hanslope 1 - 6 (cons) Manor Close Hanslope 4 & 6 Caucutts Yard Gold Street Hanslope Field House The Green Hanslope 1 – 4 (cons) Yew Tree Terrace Gold Street Hanslope 1B Gold Street Hanslope The Old Rectory Grafton Regis 35-36 Hanslope 44 Long Street Road Hanslope The Vicarage Park Road Hanslope Old Manor House The Green Hanslope Candleford The Green Hanslope Swan House 12 Gold Street Hanslope Green Manor Gold Street Hanslope Stonehaven Park Road Hanslope Manor Bungalow Park Road Hanslope 4 The Green Hanslope Milton Keynes Quince Cottage 3 The Green Hanslope Old Manor House Farm 2 The Green Hanslope 1 The Green Hanslope Stafford House 2 Market Square Hanslope 2 Manor Gardens Farthingstone Towcester 5 Church Lane Grafton Regis Towcester 7 &18 Cuckoo Hill Rise Hanslope Bramblings Higham Cross Road Hanslope Bucklands 2 Newport Road Hanslope 22 Bulington End Road Castlethorpe Milton Keynes Grange Farm Higham Cross Road Hanslope 41 Redcliffe Gardens London SW10 9JH Ivy Farm Park Road Hanslope 11, 12 & 64 – 79 (cons) Eastfield Drive Hanslope 1 – 23 (cons), 25 & 27 Nevill Close Hanslope 38 & 42 Shepperton Close Castlethorpe 10 Bedford Cottages Great Brington The Old Rectory Grafton Regis Towcester Grastone House Church Lane Grafton Regis 5 Manor Close Hanslope 5 & 4 Long Street Road Hanslope The Vicarage Park Road Hanslope 23 Quantock Crescent Emerson Valley Milton Keynes 5 – 27 (odds) & 6-10 (evens) Keswick Road Hanslope Peach View 25 Gold Street Hanslope 1-9(odds), 2, 2A, 4, 4A, 5A, 6, 10, 11A 14-18 (evens), 15– 23 (odds), 39A & 27-49 (odds) Gold Street Hanslope Forge Cottage 20 Gold Street Hanslope 12, 14,18, 24 & 28 Park Road Hanslope 3 & 7 – 17 (odds) Church End Hanslope 2A, 4A, 1-6(cons), 8, 9-19 (cons), 21–31(cons), 33, 41-59 (odds) High Street Hanslope Magpie Nook 1 Church End Hanslope The Elms 32 High Street Hanslope 3 Market Square Hanslope The Old Cobbler 4 Market Square Hanslope April Cottage 10 Market Square Hanslope 42 Moorend Road Yardley Gobion Towcester 1–25 (cons) & 8–46 (evens) Warwick Road Hanslope 1–10 (cons), 15 & 14–62 (evens) Eastfield Drive Hanslope 1-11 (odds), 25–95 (odds) & 2–102 (evens) Williams Close Hanslope 1 – 8 (consec) Rhymer Close Hanslope 1–12 (cons), 15–37(odds), 41-71 (odds), 70–104 (evens) Western Drive Hanslope 2 – 10 (cons), 5A, 12 – 26 (evens), 13 - 43 (odds), 21B, 23A & 27A Castlethorpe Road Hanslope 1A, 2A, 22A, 1-29 (odds) & 6–50 (evens) Long Street Road Hanslope 1, 10A, 2 – 16 (evens), 20, 24 – 30 (evens), 38-64 (evens), 68-88 (evens)19 – 23 (odds), 27 – 31 (odds) & 39 – 79 (odds) Hartwell Road Hanslope Gold Street Stores And Post Office (londis) 6 Gold Street Hanslope The Cock 35 High Street Hanslope Hanslope Village Hall Newport Road Hanslope Glebe Cottage Glebe Lane Hanslope 46A, 64A, 68A, 68B, 71A & 73A Hartwell Road Hanslope 11A Williams Close Hanslope Rustico Forest Road Hanslope Bramblestead Farm Forest Road Hanslope Glebe Farm Forest Road Hanslope Glebe House 7 Glebe Lane Hanslope 1A, 1 - 5 (odds) Glebe Lane Hanslope Stone Cottage 66 Hartwell Road Hanslope Hales Folly Farm Hartwell Road Hanslope Aspiring Heights Higham Cross Road Hanslope The Cottage Forest Road Hanslope Higham Cross House Higham Cross Road Hanslope Coleraine Forest Road Hanslope The Old Chapel 2 Higham Cross Road Hanslope Cook Inn High Street Hanslope 26 Harvester Close Greenleys The Globe 50 Hartwell Road Hanslope The Cabin The Lane Grafton Regis 13 Bunsty Court 2 Green End Lane Hanslope Folly Farm Hartwell Road Hanslope Rose Lee Cottage 35-37 Hartwell Road Hanslope Holiday Cottage 1 Holiday Lane Hanslope 6 Harkness Court Hanslope Milton Keynes Unit B, Unit C & Unit D Lincoln Lodge Farm Station Road Castlethorpe Bramblings Higham Cross Road Hanslope Grange Farm Higham Cross Road Hanslope Spire Cottage St James Close Hanslope Corner Cottage St James Close Hanslope The Maltings The Green Hanslope North To Hungate End Farm Annexe At Glebe House Forest Road Glebe House Forest Road Hanslope 1 – 12 (consec) Harkness Court Hanslope High Barn Hungate End Farm Higham Cross Road Units 8 And 12 Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Units 22 – 30 (consec) Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Units 16 And 17 Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Units 15 & 18 Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Unit A Lincoln Lodge Farm Station Road Castlethorpe Old Orchard House 4 Higham Cross Road Hanslope Orchard House 1B Long Street Road Hanslope Lincoln Grounds Station Road Castlethorpe North To Hungate End Farm Castlethorpe The Old Pumphouse Forest Road Hanslope Woodley Forest Road Hanslope Half Acre Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Cuckoo Hill House & Cuckoo Hill Bungalow Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Applegarth 21A Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Balney Grounds Hanslope Road Castlethorpe Hanslope Primary School Long Street Road Hanslope Watts Arms Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Stocking Green House Long Street Road Hanslope 1 & 2 – 12 (evens) Stocking Green Close Hanslope 1 & 2 Green End Lane Hanslope Milton Keynes Pindon End Cottage Pindon End Hanslope Flat At 18 High Street Hanslope New Bungalow Gold Street Hanslope Units 10A, B & C Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Flat At 35 High Street Hanslope Rekela Kennels Rekela Higham Cross Road Flat At The Globe 50 Hartwell Road Flat At 18 Gold Street Hanslope Flat At Watts Arms Castlethorpe Road Units 5-11 (odds), 6, 14 & 19-21(odds) Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road Long Barn Hungate End Farm Higham Cross Road Annexe At The Elms 32 High Street Green Waste Recycling Plant Home Farm Hanslope Road Pinions Barn Higham Cross Road Hanslope Tathall Oak Forest Road Hanslope Stocking Green Cottage Long Street Road Hanslope Gospel Hall Gold Street Hanslope 1 - 3 Balney Grounds Hanslope Road Castlethorpe 1 – 8 (cons) Saxon Close Hanslope Home Farm Hanslope Road Castlethorpe 30A Long Street Road Hanslope Milton Keynes Barn At Longstreet Farm Forest Road Hanslope Annexe At Applegarth 21A Castlethorpe Road The Shooting Clinic Lincoln Grounds Station Road Castlethorpe North To Hungate End Farm Field View 75A Hartwell Road Hanslope 1-4 (cons),12 -16 (evens) Keswick Road Hanslope 1-9 (cons) & 10–32 (evens), Winemar Close Hanslope 1 – 13 (cons), 15 & 17 Burrow Ash Close Hanslope 1 – 11 (cons),12-18 (evens) Cuckoo Hill Rise Hanslope Woodlands Sure Start Childrens Centre Hanslope Primary School Long Street Road 3A Nevill Close Hanslope Milton Keynes Mawley Higham Cross Road Hanslope Annexe At 21 Castlethorpe Road Hanslope 6A Long Street Road Hanslope Milton Keynes Duckdown Cottage Rear of 59 Newport Road 1 Newport Road Hanslope Milton Keynes Annexe At Balney Grounds Hanslope Road Holywell House High Street Hanslope Warren Farm Bungalow 56 Long Street Road Hanslope Unit 4 And Part Unit 3 Cuckoo Hill Farm Castlethorpe Road St James Church Church End Hanslope 1 - 4 (consec) Hazel Row Newport Road Hanslope 82B Western Drive Hanslope Milton Keynes The Paw House 82A Western Drive Hanslope 1-34 (cons) & 35 -39 (odds) Kitelee Close Hanslope Autumn Cottage 1B St James Close Hanslope Dinky Cottage 3 Newport Road Hanslope 1–15 (odds) Aldene Road Hanslope Milton Keynes 1 – 7 (consec), 9 & 11 Watts Close Hanslope 5-9 (odds) & 33–67 (odds) Newport Road Hanslope Milton Keynes Eventing Centre Malt Mill Farm Castlethorpe Road Baden Lodge Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Sewage Treatment Works Higham Cross Road Hanslope 1 & 2 Osborne Cottages Market Square Hanslope Westhall 37A Hartwell Road Hanslope The White House Malt Mill Farm Castlethorpe Road Malt Mill Farm Cottage Malt Mill Farm Castlethorpe Road Northcott House 13 St James Close Hanslope Hungate End Farm Higham Cross Road Hanslope Lincoln Lodge Farm Station Road Castlethorpe North To Hungate End Farm Castlethorpe Chantry Farm Pindon End Hanslope Pindon Granary Pindon End Hanslope Pindon Manor Pindon End Hanslope Maltings Farmhouse Newport Road Hanslope Horseshoe Cottage Market Square Hanslope Old Fairings Market Square Hanslope 2 & 3 Barnwell Cottages Market Square Hanslope Folly Farm Hartwell Road Hanslope The Cottage Higham Cross Road Hanslope Carnaby Cottage Higham Cross Road Hanslope Rekela Higham Cross Road Hanslope Mio Sogha 10 Higham Cross Road Hanslope 8 Higham Cross Road Hanslope Milton Keynes Rowan Croft 6 Higham Cross Road Hanslope Stoneacre Higham Cross Road Hanslope Badgers Balney Higham Cross Road Hanslope Westfield Barn High Street Hanslope 4 Green End Lane Hanslope Milton Keynes Earl Row 7 Market Square Hanslope Church Lodge 2 Church End Hanslope 19 Church End Hanslope Milton Keynes The Granary 46 Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Malt Mill Barn 44 Castlethorpe Road Hanslope 37 Tathall End Hanslope Milton Keynes 40 Shepperton Close Castlethorpe Milton Keynes Frohauk View Forest Road Hanslope 1 – 12, 14 -17 (cons) & 19 Mauduit Road Hanslope Garden House Long Street Road Hanslope Little Meadows Day Nursery Hanslope Primary School Long Street Road Stocking Green Farm Long Street Road Hanslope The Bungalow 1A Gold Street Hanslope Town Yard 1B Gold Street Hanslope The Croft 5 Long Street Road Hanslope Telephone Exchange Gold Street Hanslope Hanslope News Gold Street Hanslope 1 – 8 (consec) Faith Terrace Castlethorpe Road Hanslope The Radclive 3 Carriers Close Hanslope 4 Stocking Green Close Hanslope Rose Lane Farm Forest Road Hanslope The Old Cobblers 4 Market Square Hanslope Byron House 7 Blackwell Place Carnaby Cottage Higham Cross Road Hanslope 8 Stacey Avenue Milton Keynes Manhattan House 401 Witan Gate East Park View Tickford Street Newport Pagnell Newport Pagnell Chelsea House 599 Witan Gate East Central Milton Keynes 16 Warwick Road Hanslope The Dairy Hook Milton Keynes The Old Vicarage Hanslope 39 North Street Castlethorpe

Letters/emails of objection have been received from 335 people. The reasons for objecting cover the following grounds:

1. Impact upon a number of heritage assets in the area Noted See paras 5.1- 5.2 and in particular St James the Great Church 2. Impact upon the landscape of the Trove Valley Noted. See paras 5.3 - 5.4 3. Proximity to residential properties Noted. See paras 5.5 - 5.8 4. Impact on local ecology (in particular on wildlife) Noted. See para A2.1 5. Impact of shadow flicker from the turbine’s blades on Noted. See paras 5.5 - 5.8 residential properties 6. Impact of noise from the turbine on residential Noted. See paras 5.5 - 5.8 properties. 7. Impact of vibration from the turbine on residential Noted. The Council has no evidence to support a refusal of properties. the application on this ground. 8. Cumulative impact of turbines in the area. Noted. See paras 5.3 – 5.4 9. Inadequate consultation by applicants. This is not a material planning consideration. 10. Impact upon radio, television and mobile phone Noted. See para A2.2 signals. 11. The energy/ecological benefits of the turbine would Noted. See para 5.8 not be significant. 12. The impact of noise and blade flicker on horses using Noted. The Council has no evidence to support a refusal of the local bridleway network. the application on this ground. 13. Impact upon hot air balloons. This is not a material planning consideration. 14. Impact on house prices/ability to sell This is not a material planning consideration. 15. Impact on health and safety on footpaths. This is not a material planning consideration. 16. Impact of aircraft warning light on residents Noted. The proposal does not include a proposal to install aircraft warning lights. A petition against the proposal has been received, signed Noted. by 119 residents. No reasons are given for the objection.

5 letters/emails have been received in support of the Noted. application and 2 letters which neither support nor object to the application.

In addition the following comments have been received from local groups:

Northants Bat Group

Object on the grounds that there has been inadequate Noted. See para A2.1 investigation of the impact of the proposal upon the local bat population.

No Hanslope Turbine Action Group

Object to the proposal for many of the same reasons set out Noted. in individual letters from residents, but in addition raise:

1. 1. Inadequate Community Fund This is not a material planning consideration. 2. 2. Potential flooding as a result of concrete base reducing Noted. The Council has no evidence to support this view. area of permeable ground. However, the issue could be overcome by the imposition of conditions if necessary. Care4 Castlethorpe

Object to the proposal on the grounds of the impact of the Noted. proposal upon heritage assets and the appearance of the area in general.