Plus ageing landfill dumps threaten English beaches and classified documents discovered in Joe Biden's garage

A WIND turbine and solar panels have been approved for a Godmanstone farm site, allowing a new home to be off-grid using only renewable power. Vertical Turbines

The turbine site was repositioned after concerns about the impact on the landscape in its initial location.

Parish councillors welcomed the change on a majority vote but said they hoped the turbine would not set a precedent for the future.

The agreed proposal is for a site adjacent to Field Barn off Frys Lane to provide energy for the barn conversion which is also being fitted with a ground source heat pump.

The application to Dorset Council said that the turbine and ground-mounted solar panels will allow the home to be self-sufficient.

Details with the application show a 17.75m single wind turbine, capable of producing 6kW of power being installed uphill of the barn, and eight solar panels in a single array of 20m, capable of producing 4kW, closer to the building.

Said a planning agent acting for the couple who will live in Field Barn once it has been converted: “The wind and solar power will make the dwelling off-grid, thus avoiding a connection to the nearest power line nearly 1km away, and any associated electrical infrastructure. By making the dwelling’s energy supply zero carbon and 100% renewable, the use of wind and solar power also fit with Dorset Council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in 2019.”

Dorset’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team had initially expressed concerns about the turbine, as had Cerne Valley Parish Council.

After discussions the site for the turbine site was moved to be less intrusive and where its blades would only just visible from the hill ridgeline. A darker colour than normal is proposed for the base and a lighter than normal colour for the blades, helping it blend in.

Said a AoNB team report on the changes: “The outcome of this discussion was that, subject to appropriate colour treatment and enhanced planting/management, the revised siting is acceptable.”

Said parish council clerk Wayne Lewin: “Members thanked the applicants for all the amendments made to the original withdrawn application and thus supported this application on a majority vote. There remained concerns on the effect of the wind turbine on the AONB and trust this would not start a precedent within the valley and AONB.”

Wales manager Rob Page believes Gareth Bale's decision to retire has come at the "right time".The legendary forward, who played over 100 times for his country and won some of the biggest club honours at Real Madrid, announced his decision to step away from football on Monday. "I think that's a decision only he can make with his family," Page said of Bale's decision to retire. "I think it has come at the right time."

There is still time to donate to our 2022 appeal and support charities tackling the wave of hunger and poverty that the government has let crash over our communities

Similar devices are already set to be approved for NHS use for patients with type 1 diabetes.

A statement said it was temporarily unable to despatch export items.

The family of a British aid worker said they fear for his health after he went missing on the front lines in Ukraine.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday February 11 at London’s O2 arena.

The Elizabeth Line's service has been disrupted today due to strikes, find out everything you need to know.

A BRADFORD man has been ordered to pay more than £500 for boarding a train at Leeds Railway Station heading to Lincoln Railway Station without a valid ticket.

Rugby league star Rob Burrow has been awarded the Freedom of Leeds for his work to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research.Burrow, 40, who revealed his own diagnosis in 2019, called the city a “place where my dreams came true” as he became an honorary freeman. His close friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield was also honoured.Sinfield has been relentless in his support for his former teammate and recently ran seven ultra-marathons in a week, raising £2.7 million to fund research into MND.

A statement posted on the musician’s official Twitter page read: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. “His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.” Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera.  .

If the far-right Georgia congresswoman is able to back away from the conspiracies of QAnon, then there’s hope for anyone

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed new MP Andrew Western to Parliament after Mr Western's victory in the Stretford and Urmston by-election in December.

He was the father of modern science and paved the way for our understanding of gravity and physics.

Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, thanked his family, who were with him for the event, saying they ‘give me reason never to give in’.

Jewish students were treated as pariahs at the National Union of Students, an independent investigation into antisemitism within the organisation has found.

IN THE PRESS – Wednesday, January 11: We look at front page reactions from the French papers after Emmanuel Macron's government unveiled plans for controversial pension reforms. In the US, California braces for more storms as the papers look at new ways of storing this water for the drought-ridden state. Finally, a dog walking company in Alaska that busses its canine clients goes viral on TikTok!Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Hong Kong says British government ‘attempted to undermine the rule of law of Hong Kong’

Paramedics and emergency call handlers on picket lines

It is the lowest tally for the country since 2014.

Mini Wind Generator Gander on the Green was a favourite of bikers and rock music fans.