Although house prices are not a valid reason for a refusal under planning law it is still an impact that people have to take into account when making up their mind about the balance between the positive benefit and negative impact from this particular proposal. As wind farms have become bigger and closer to habitations so the impact on house values must have increased.

Residential amenity

The proximity and height of the turbines are likely to be so dominant and obvious that they would render the enjoyment and living conditions of a number of nearby residential properties unsatisfactory.  Whilst we understand that planning policies are not placed to protect the private interests of one person, we believe that this development is of such a scale and proximity to residences that it will be so visually intrusive as to turn otherwise satisfactory dwellings (particularly in surrounding villages) into dwellings that are unsatisfactory places in which to live.  This compromises the aim of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity of living in a decent home. 

A significant number of properties in several settlements would be adversely affected.  As such, there would be a considerable impact on the settlements as a whole.  The impact would be even greater in this area where the visual amenity and rural nature of the landscape is a key factor for residents.  In the Environmental Statement Nuon has failed to address the social and economic impact on local settlements. 

In addition, Nuon seems to have missed a considerable number of properties during the assessment period.  In Draughton, for example, (i) there is no assessment from Church Farm House in Draughton, a listed property SOUTH of the church, (ii) Church Barn, which is listed because it is in the curtelage of Church Farm House, is described as a farm building (and interestingly has five windows facing the site including principal rooms) and (iii) Nuon has prepared a photomontage from Leighfield which shows how the turbines would dominate the village but has not included this in the planning application.  Nuon has also failed to consider the impact from gardens several of which are large and face towards the proposed site.