February 20, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Massive plans to generate electricity in the The Wash are already facing opposition from West Norfolk residents.
Centrica, a parent company of British Gas and owners of Lynn Power Station, last month applied for Government permission for the first of three wind farms off the Lincolnshire coast.
The company’s proposals and the results from its preliminary environmental studies will be exhibited this week.
If development of the “Lincs” wind farm goes ahead, a 15-mile buried cable will connect the turbines, situated five miles out from Skegness, to Walpole St Andrew sub-station, where the power will be fed into the National Grid.
Centrica last week submitted a planning application to West Norfolk Council for the connecting cable, an extension to the existing sub-station and new access roads.
Walpole St Andrew resident Peter Lambert, of Frenchs Road, said the cable would have an adverse effect on The Wash, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the surrounding Fenland countryside.
“The effect on wildlife, both on land and at sea, is likely to be immense and the pollution from lights in and around the sub-station will increase.”
Mr Lambert said he was also concerned about the effect the sub-station development would have on house prices in the area.
“I feel the extension should have been to the north of the existing site, away from both the public highway and nearby housing.
“It would then have been hidden from view by existing trees, thus having a lesser impact on the landscape,” he added.
The wind farm is set to cost around £400 million and would be capable of supplying electricity to around 140,000 homes.
Construction could begin in 2009 and Centrica is also investigating the possibility of developing two further sites, with up to 166 turbines each.
The exhibitions will be held from 11am to 5pm at Hunstanton Town Hall on Thursday and Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday and members of the Centrica project team will be available.
20 February 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/02/20/giant-offshore-wash-wind-farm-scheme-has-opponents/