April 17, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Marshland St James’ Jubilee Hall is expected to be packed on Thursday for a meeting held in the wake of plans for a wind turbine scheme around the village.
Some residents are angry they were not told earlier about the controversial £40 million scheme ““ early plans for which show 26 turbine sites which, it is felt, would have a huge visual impact on the area.
Marshland Wind Farm Action Committee has been formed, after news of the scheme was uncovered on a Government website.
Members are expecting a huge turnout at Thursday’s meeting, which starts at 7pm.
Among those against the turbines is independent candidate for Mershe Lande ward in forthcoming West Norfolk borough council elections, David Markinson.
He feels the turbines would decimate the traditional Fenland landscape, adding: “They have been referred to as sounding like cement mixers in the sky.”
The Marshland St James based Renewable Energy Consortium is behind the project.
Consultant Ian Robinson, who with another consultant, Bruce Pittingale, is working with the consortium, offered to take local people to a working scheme, so they could judge any noise for themselves.
Concerning local people not being told earlier, he was awaiting reports from groups such as English Nature, he explained.
He felt it was pointless consulting local people until these reports ““ which might scupper the scheme ““ had been received.
The local community will, say the consortium, get £500,000 from the development, with a Community Energy Fund established to enhance the environment.
However, Dave McGuffog, of local firm Bourne Blinds, said his phone had rung non-stop and people were scared.
16 April 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/04/17/packed-hall-expected-for-marshland-turbine-protest/