Last updated at 13:15, Wednesday, 07 January 2009

ASDA has pulled a planning application for a wind turbine at its Barrow supermarket – but says it still intends to put one up at the store.

The retail giant began seeking permission for the 19.5-metre turbine, between its petrol station and Walney Road, last November. The electricity generated by the £55,000 device was to be used directly by the store and reduce its reliance on the National Grid.

However, after talks with Barrow Borough Council planning officials about the idea, Asda has withdrawn its application. It says it will, however, table a tweaked proposal for a turbine soon.

Asda spokesman Philip Bartram said: “After discussions with the council’s planning department, we have agreed to temporarily withdraw our application for a wind turbine and re-submit the plans with a revised location further back from the road. We remain fully committed to constructing a turbine at our Barrow store and will be submitting our revised plans in the near future.”

Council planning official David Kitts confirmed yesterday that Asda had withdrawn the application before Christmas following talks with him.

Superstore rival Tesco, has already installed two turbines in the car park of its Barrow store, off Hindpool Road.

Those turbines have attracted lots of publicity, but not because of their benefits to the environment.

A number of seagulls have been killed by the turbines after flying into their spinning blades.

First published at 11:50, Wednesday, 07 January 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk