BUSINESSMAN Peter Skoulding s planning application for a second wind turbine close to Whitemoor Prison was refused this afternoon. Fenland District Council s planning committee agreed with objectors – which included March Town Council – and its planning o

BUSINESSMAN Peter Skoulding's planning application for a second wind turbine close to Whitemoor Prison was refused this afternoon.

Fenland District Council's planning committee agreed with objectors - which included March Town Council - and its planning officers by turning down the application for Foundry Way, March.

After the committee heard from objectors and Cllr Skoulding's planning agent, seven councillors agreed with the move to refuse the plan.

Councillor Skoulding lodged the application 15 months ago through his company, Snowmountain Investments.

But planning officers said the 70-metre turbine would bring a material change to the area, adding that the application failed to demonstrate whether it would have an adverse impact on protected species such as bats.

Councillor Philip Hatton, who proposed the committee's move, said: "I think this is a totally unacceptable intrusion on the lives of the local residents, both visually and by noise.

"They should be well away from town centres and from residential areas. This one is certainly much too close to the town.