Should wind turbines be put up in Belvoir? 

Herbert Lindlahr (pictured below), project director of wind farm developer Infinergy:

“Climate change, mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is the biggest challenge facing us today. If the proposed wind farm at Thackson’s Well Farm, Long Bennington, would be constructed, this area would do its bit in fighting this global threat, preserving the UK landscape for future generations.

The wind farm, comprising ten state-of-the-art turbines, would generate clean, green electricity for up to 12,800 homes and replace up to 52,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas CO2 every year. This is the equivalent to meeting the needs of approximately 25% of all the households in the South Kesteven local authority area.

On-shore wind power is a vital energy source in the current mix of technologies that we need to support our modern lifestyle. At present it is the most advanced and reliable technology available to the renewable industry.

The green electricity is fed into the local distribution system and will have the effect of displacing electricity imported into the area. To make sure that local residents benefit more directly from having a wind farm nearby, we propose a community benefit fund. Some of the revenue from the wind farm will be donated for local initiatives. The fund will be managed by local authorities and community members.

The planning application has just been submitted to South Kesteven District Council. Extensive consultation is undertaken with consultees and stakeholders such as South Kesteven District Council, Natural England, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, English Heritage and the Ministry of Defence, along with other local interest groups. Infinergy is committed to ensuring that the environment is fully considered in all projects undertaken.”

FIONA Fairhurst is a member of BLOT – Belvoir Locals Oppose Turbines.

“These 125-metre turbines will be the tallest in the UK. They will have a visual impact and dramatic effect on the character of the Vale. They will dominate the landscape and overshadow Belvoir Castle by 55 metres. They will be visible from over 20 miles away.

The open landscape that defines the character of the Vale of Belvoir will be irreversibly damaged by the proposals. The landscape classification will change from ‘rural’ to ‘industrial’.

We will be opposing the plans when they are submitted because:

More than eight historic and conservation villages affecting over 8,000 local residents will be within two miles

It will have a detrimental impact on local businesses

We believe there is strong evidence on the impact to public health caused by noise pollution

It will damage ecology and protected species such as bats and birds

Quality of rural life and local amenities, footpaths and bridleways will be lost

We are predicting fall of house prices by up to 25%

Damage to national monuments and historic sites.

Once a precedent is set, further development will follow. On-shore industrial turbines are inefficient, have negligible impact on reducing CO2 emissions and are not fit for purpose.

BLOT is not opposed to renewable energy developments that have a minimum affect on the landscape and environment. But what will the carbon footprint be of this power station proposed by subsidy-hunting developers? How much concrete and hard core will be poured into the ground to support these turbines? How many maintenance roads will be built?

Not one fossil fuel or nuclear power station will close. On-shore industrial turbines are now seen as ‘dirty’ power, it is misleading to call them clean or green. The public are being conned.”

Nottingham Evening Post

29 December 2007