January 12, 2008
England

Turbine plans for Chiplow

Villagers united in a common cause took to the roads to raise money for a campaign to fight plans for giant wind turbines in the heart of rural North West Norfolk.

Power company E.on wants to build the 125-metre high turbines on farmland known as Chiplow between Syderstone, Bircham and Bagthorpe – but residents opposed to the idea have formed ATAC (Against Turbines at Chiplow) and the group put its best foot forward to walk five miles around the site on Sunday.

“It was gratifying to see how many young families came on the walk. After all, it is for our children’s sake that we are trying to save our beautiful Norfolk countryside. We are expecting a long, hard fight and are planning to raise £10,000 over the coming months to pay for legal advice, consultants and publicity,” said vice-chairman Reg Thompson.

A planning application for a test mast on the site was refused in September last year by the development control committee of West Norfolk Council and E.on has appealed against the decision.

A parish poll held in Syderstone last year saw 77 per cent of those who voted say they would not want the turbines.

The company has said the turbines would generate enough power for around 5,000 homes.

Village residents James and Lucy Bassett, who did the walk with their five-year-old twins Harry and Sophia, said: “We are not against turbines but they must be in the right place and we do not feel this is the right place.”

By Donna Semmens

Lynn News

11 January 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/12/turbine-plans-for-chiplow/