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Huge wind turbine for Leeds skyline
The Leeds skyline is to get a dynamic new feature – a 125m tall wind turbine.
Planners have given the go- ahead for the turbine to be erected at the Knostrop sewage treatment works in Cross Green.
The three-bladed rotor will be 90m in diameter and stand at 125m from tower base to blade tip.
It will generate up to 2.5MW of electricity and help power the plant, one of the largest in the region treating 456,500 cubic metres of sewage every day.
A report to the council's east plans panel said the main concern surrounding the application was the impact the turbine might have on the setting of grade one-listed Temple Newsam House and parkland.
It said the issue had been investigated and it had been shown any adverse impact would be minimal and confined to a relatively small area of the park.
It acknowledged the turbine would be prominent from junction 45 of the M1, one of the main gateways into Leeds.
But it added: "The proposed turbine viewed from this location on the approach to the city from the M1, with the city centre in the distant background, could be viewed as a very positive feature for the city in terms of its support for renewable energy."
After the panel meeting, the decision to approve planning consent was welcomed by councillors.
Coun Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill), council leader, said: "I am delighted that councillors have decided to approve this wind turbine.
"The sewage treatment works is a major site in the Cross Green area so it is fantastic news that it will be running off green energy in the future."
Coun James Monaghan, (Lib Dem, Headingley), executive member for tackling climate change, said: "It is vitally important that we do as much as we can to increase renewable energy in Leeds.
"The turbine at Knostrop will make a small but valuable contribution to reducing the city's reliance on fossil fuels and I look forward to seeing more schemes like it in the future."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
