Plans have been submitted for a wind turbine on the outskirts of the city that would stand almost 50 metres taller than Lichfield Cathedral.
Severn Trent Water are planning to build the turbine on an area of the Sewage Treatment Works in Curborough.
The company have also applied to Lichfield District Council for permission to put in associated cabling and a control building on the Watery Lane site.
The turbine – which could measure up to 126.25 metres from ground to the highest tip of the blades – would dwarf Lichfield Cathedral’s 77 metre high main spire.
Severn Trent’s documentation relating to the application says that the area is suitable due to the “absence of any neighbouring land use”.
The statement continues:
“The wind turbine will typically consist of a steel tower with three carbon fibre blades. The turbine colour will be a non-reflective matt white/grey typical of wind turbines throughout the UK.
“The site is an operational sewage works predominantly surrounded by areas of open countryside in agricultural use.”
The erection of wind turbines is a much-debated issue. A recent meeting regarding plans for three new turbines at Haunton near Lichfield saw residents vow to fight the proposals.
County Councillor Matthew Ellis claimed the Haunton turbines would “dominate the countryside”, but Severn Trent’s Curborough application says some members of the public like the design of them.
Their planning statement added:
“Whether turbines are considered to be acceptable or not is very much in the ‘eye of the beholder’. Some people will be positively disposed to them finding that they do not impair enjoyment of the countryside, viewing them as iconic or majestic structures, others will perceive them to be an unwelcome and alien feature in the landscape.”
Residents can have their say on the proposals on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.
