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Protests set to fail on energy park plan
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An energy park which was been opposed by nearly 600 people is expected to be approved this week.
Hundreds of campaigners and a number of neighbouring councils protested at plans by Chelveston Renewable Energy Ltd to convert redundant buildings at the old Ministry of Defence airfield in Chelveston so they can be used for energy generation.
There are fears it will lead to the creation of a windfarm and biomass plant on the land.
But East Northamptonshire Council’s officers have recommended councillors on the authority’s planning committee, who deferred making a decision on the scheme last month so they could visit the site, to approve the scheme when they discuss the issue for the second time on Wednesday.
A spokesman for opposition group Preserve said: “We object to the planning application because this greenfield site is so utterly inappropriate for a development of this kind.
“It contravenes the letter and spirit of existing planning regulations and, while the application claims to be a green solution, we believe it will fail to provide sustainable, renewable energy.
“The proposals have been opposed by local parish councils and about 600 local residents who would rather see this land being used for community woodland.”
Initial plans for the energy park in April last year suggested that it could include between 14 and 17 of the country’s largest wind turbines, each higher than St Paul’s Cathedral, which stands at 365ft, and a biomass plant which would process animal and plant waste to make electricity.
Chelveston Renewable Energy Ltd has said it will not comment on its plans at this stage.
Plans to build a windfarm containing nine wind turbines at Airfield Farm in Airfield Road, Podington, are expected to be turned down by Bedford Council’s planning committee when it meets tonight.
By Catherine Collins
11 June 2007
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