A plan to build a wind farm north of Dunedin has been dealt a blow after a council planner recommended resource consent be declined.
Council planner Darryl Sycamore made his recommendation this morning after sitting through three days of resource consent hearings for a $5 million to $6 million proposal to build three wind turbines on Porteous Hill.
In making his recommendation, Mr Sycamore noted how "finely balanced'' the proposal was.
It was his belief the visual effects were no more than minor for the wider Blueskin Bay community, but his recommendation to decline rested on the impact it would have on the residents closest to the turbines.
"At this late stage I remain unconvinced the effects on the Pryde Rd neighbours are sufficiently addressed with respect to both visual dominance and noise.''
There was also uncertainty over the effect installing turbines would have on nearby springs.
"It is therefore my recommendation that ...the applicant should be declined.''
His recommendation, which is only one piece of evidence which hearing commissioner Colin Weatherall will base his final decision on, represented a reversal from his written report which recommended consent be granted.
At the start of the hearing he said he would reserve his position until the end of the hearing, given the trust had made changes to its proposal.
• More in tomorrow's ODT
