The proposed development lies within an area of countryside and does not fall within the categories of development found to be acceptable within the countryside. It is accepted that there is no need for sequential testing to be carried out in relation to the proposed for wind turbine locations. Nevertheless, the proposal would harm the character and appearance of the countryside for its own sake, and the immediate landscape by virtue of the height and visual impact of the turbine, together with the associated requirements for an access track, and the sub station. The proposal would thereby be contrary to policies ST/1, CT/1 and CT/2 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004.

The proposed development would fail to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the heritage asset known as the Rothley Conservation Area by virtue of having a moderately significant detrimental effect on the character and appearance of that area when viewed from two locations within it, namely Town Green Street and Cross Green. The proposal would also have a minor level of significantly detrimental effect on the setting of the Grade II* Church of St Mary the Virgin and St John the Baptist Church Street Rothley when viewed from Cross Green, although it is accepted that this is not one of the key views of the church identified within the Conservation Area. For this reason, the proposal would also thereby fail to conserve protect and enhance those features in the historic environment. The proposal is thereby contrary to policy ST/1 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan, policy 27 of the East Midlands Regional Plan 2009 and guidance in PPS5 Planning and the Historic Environment and its accompanying practice guide.

The proposed turbine would result in an unacceptable level of overbearing and over dominance to existing and proposed dwellings within the immediate vicinity of the site, as a result of the height of the turbine and by virtue of the presence of the moving blades, with a swept path of 104m in diameter, particularly those which would directly face the turbine; namely properties in Cossington Lane, Hickling Close, The Rise, and new properties yet to be built off Cossington Lane and Loughborough Road particularly plots 114-121. The development would thereby result in significant harm caused to the enjoyment of these occupiers of these dwellings. The proposal would thereby be contrary to policy EV/1 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004 by failing to safeguard the residential amenity of the occupiers of these dwellings.

The information contained in the Environmental Statement accompanying the planning application is not adequate to make a full and proper assessment of the cumulative impact of the development as recommended by PPS 22 "A Companion Guide", in relation to a current proposal for 4 turbines at Queniborough (P/09/2464/2). A cumulative assessment of both proposals on landscape, visual impact, cultural heritage and ecology is required to properly assess the combined impact of both proposals.