Turbine floodgates could be opened if Haunton plans given the go ahead councillor warns  

Credit:  by Matt Lloyd, Birmingham Mail, www.birminghammail.net 13 February 2012 ~~

A new bid to resurrect wind farm plans in the Midlands could open the floodgates and see turbines surrounding the National Memorial Arboretum, a councillor has claimed.

Coun Matthew Ellis (Con, Lichfield Rural East), said plans by German firm Prowind for two turbines close to Haunton, near Tamworth, could set a precedent in the county.

The firm has submitted new plans for the 340ft wind turbines after withdrawing a larger scheme at the 11th hour last year.

But Coun Ellis said more land in Staffordshire could be seized upon by energy companies if the smaller scheme was granted approval.

He said: “The new proposals are smaller than the ones they withdrew but they are still substantial and will change the Mease Valley forever. Worse than that, would be many dozens of turbines covering the wider area around Lichfield and Tamworth.

“That is very much on the cards when you see the scale and number of viable sites the renewables industry is identifying across southern Staffordshire.”

Prowind’s plans are to be submitted shortly to Lichfield Council.