February 2, 2008
England
England
Structure ”will totally dominate our landscape”
Campaigners who fought against a test wind mast in a picturesque valley now fear they could soon see a full-blown turbine the height of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Members of the Kentish Weald Action Group, which is against turbines in rural areas, are angry at the new plan for land in Marden.
The plan has been submitted to Maidstone council by village farmer Peter Hall and Wind Direct, financially backed by HgCapital. The original application was for a test mast on land in the Teise Valley, off Sheephurst Lane, but within days of getting permission the new plan went in.
Damage
Action group chairman John Webley, who lives close to the proposed site, said: “The applicant is putting his own financial gain ahead of the damage he is doing to others and this has to be stopped.
“A structure 416ft high with blades nearly 164ft long will totally dominate our landscape and those living in the vicinity will be severely affected by noise.”
He urged everyone who wanted to “protect this beautiful part of Kent” to register their support on the group’s website www.kwag.co.uk, and lobby their councillors.
Mr Hall, who has won awards for his environmentally-friendly farming, was unavailable for comment.
However, last November he told the Kent Messenger: “Everyone talks about green footprints and wanting to reduce pollution, but when it comes down to it they just throw their hands up in horror.
“For the sake of our children we cannot afford to do nothing.”
By Trisha Fermor
1 February 2008
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Kentish Weald Action Group (KWAG): kwag.co.uk
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/02/02/objectors-get-wind-of-huge-turbine/