Bishops Itchington wind farm application defeated – by a single vote
Campaigners opposed to a windfarm in south Warwickshire have won the first round of their fight to stop it being built.
Stratford District Council’s planning committee this week rejected energy firm Broadview’s proposal to put up a 60m high meterological mast on farmland near Bishops Itchington and Knightcote.
If erected, the mast would have been in place for two years to measure wind speeds, ahead of the company’s plans to build six wind turbines on the site, known as Starbold.
But the council received 167 letters of objection to the proposal and only one in favour.
Among the objectors were Stratford MP John Maples, the parish councils of Bishops Itchington, Burton Dassett, Fenny Compton and Gaydon and members of campaign group Feldon Residents and Wind farm Turbines (Frawt) which was formed in July.
After councillors voted out the application by a single vote on Wednesday, Frawt said in a statement: “Resolute and determined action by local people has stopped this mast being erected.
“This in turn has prevented 125m high wind turbines being built within 500m of people’s homes and has preserved the beautiful vista from the Burton Dassett hills for the enjoyment of its 60,000 visitors and the people of Warwickshire.”
Chris Kettle, chairman of Bishops Itchington parish council, said: “On Monday we had four Tornado planes flying low down the valley over Bishops Itchington.
“Would you want to be a passenger in that plane heading towards a mast that the pilot has not seen?
“Or would you want to be a resident on the ground waiting for that crash to happen?
“We see no reason whatsoever to allow an unknown party who does not even live here to stick a meterological mast here.”
Broadview plans to appeal against the decision.
Managing director Jeff Corrigan said: “It is very disappointing to be refused permission by such a narrow margin, especially after the council’s planning officers’ recommendation that the application should be granted.”
The company claims that, should a windfarm be built on the site, up to 5,000 homes would be provided with carbon-free electricity.
The firm also promised it would contribute to a community fund for the area for a 25 years.
The Courier
26 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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