The independent planning commission for the Australian state of New South Wales has blocked plans for an up to 102MW wind farm proposed by Union Fenosa Wind Australia.
The commission rejected the 23-turbine Crookwell 3 development in the NSW southern Tablelands on the grounds of its visual impact and proximity to residential areas.
The project’s potential adverse cumulative impacts in an area where there are other wind farms already operating was also cited as a reason for the planning refusal.
“The community raised a number of significant concerns about the visual impacts of the project on surrounding residences and the cumulative effect of wind farm projects with residences potentially able to view wind turbines in multiple viewing sectors,” the Commission said.
“The community expressed concern that wind farm projects will transform the landscape from an attractive rural landscape towards an industrial landscape dominated by wind turbines,” it added.
The project site would have been adjacent to the approved Crookwell 2 development, which will feature up to 32 turbines.
It would also have been close to the operational eight-turbine Crookwell 1 and 73-turbine Gullen Range wind farms, the commission said.