'We're prepared for wind farm inquiry,' says group
Campaigners in Swinford say they are fully prepared for the start of a public inquiry which will decide whether or not a wind farm is built less than a mile from their village.
The Stop the Swinford Wind Farm Action Group (SSWFAG) is fighting proposals submitted by energy firm Nuon UK to build 11 wind turbines, each 125 metres tall, on land between Swinford and Walcote.
The planning application, which was first lodged more than a year ago in April 2008, will be considered at a public inquiry by a Government inspector.
The inquiry begins on Tuesday, July 14, and is expected to last about three weeks, during which time there will be dozens of expert witnesses called and thousands of pages of written documents considered.
The inspector is not expected to announce his decision about whether to approve the application until later in the year.
Keith Kilbane, chairman of SSWFAG, said the campaign has almost turned into a full-time job for him and a number of other members of the group.
He added: “We are as ready for the public inquiry as we possibly can be.
“We are calling 19 witnesses and we have lodged all of our evidence with the inspector.
“In the last eight days or so before we handed over the evidence, a number of members of the team were working 15-hour days to prepare all the documents we needed to.”
Mr Kilbane said SSWFAG will be represented by a barrister at the proceedings.
He added: “This is the first time any of us has been involved in anything like this but we are all looking forward to the start of the proceedings.”
The inquiry is being held at the Harborough District Council offices in Adam and Eve Street, Harborough.
l Aromatherapy sessions, a week-long stay in France, a day at Haydock Races and a trip in a yacht are some of the items on offer at a dream auction organised by SSWFAG tomorrow.
The campaign group is hosting the event at Walcote Memorial Hall from 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £5, including cheese and refreshments, and can be bought by phoning 01788 860793 or 01788 860565.
2 July 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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