For many years, Upton Cressett Hall has nestled in the Shropshire Hills. Like many of England’s finest homes it has played a small part in others’ fights as history unfolded around it, however it now faces a fight of its own.
In one corner are the advocates of wind farm development with plans for two turbines, both higher than Nelson’s Column, less than a mile from the hall’s parklands. In the other is the family of Conservative MP, Bill Cash, who are battling to stop the turbines which they say, would ruin the hall’s historic setting forever.
Now the family have secured what they hope will be a step forward in their battle: the hall, its 12th century Norman church and Elizabethan gatehouse have been granted Grade I listed status.
They believe it will help stop the turbines being built so close to Upton Cressett, an area they say has been “unspoilt and untouched” for over 800 years.
The dispute is the latest in the tense battle between wind farm developments, driven by a government push for vast increases in the number of turbines, and those who confront them-saying they are eyesores and unsuccessful at generating clean energy.
Upton Cressett Hall, near Bridgenorth, Shropshire, is a combination of Elizabethan manor and 14th century great hall, which was acclaimed by Nikolaus Pevsner, in his gazetteer of English architecture, as “remarkable” and by the poet Sir John Betjeman as “beautiful”.
The plan to erect the two 255ft high turbines on farm land towering over Upton Cressett’s gatehouse comes from Crida Community Wind, an organisation whose members include two local wind energy co-operatives, Sharenergy and Sustainable Bridgnorth.
A formal planning application has yet to be submitted, however work has begun on measuring wind speeds in the area to work out how much electricity could be produced.
The news of the wind farm application prompted a campaign, led by Mr Cash’s son William, a magazine publisher, to safeguard the hall.
Now he has achieved success by having English Heritage announce the gatehouse, hall and church a monument.
To secure Grade I listed status monuments or buildings must be considered to have “exceptional architectural merit”.
The listing makes it far more difficult for wind turbines to be erected nearby, after an example was set when a planning inspector ruled that the views of another Grade I listed building must not be spoilt by turbines.
Mr Cash said: “The landscape and ancient buildings around Upton Cressett have been unspoilt and untouched by developers for well over 800 years.
“In addition, the hamlet includes an important part of the Jack Mytton Way, Shropshire’s flagship tourist trail for riders, walkers and cyclists.”
He further added: “I hope this new statutory designation sends out a clear government-endorsed message that Upton Cressett is one of Shropshire’s special heritage assets and deserves full protection, so the asset can be enjoyed by both tourists visiting Shropshire and the local community.”
A spokesperson for Crida Community Wind said: “The site and turbines have been carefully chosen to minimise impact on landscape, wildlife, noise and other concerns.
“We estimate that the turbines will produce around 10 per cent of the electricity used by households in Bridgenorth.”
The company said the turbines would be owned by a co-operative open to any person with a minimum investment of £250.
It further added, the revenue from the turbines would be returned to the members of the co-operative. In addition to this a fund of £10,000 would be set up for spending on local community schemes.
