February 4, 2008
England
England
More than 200 people attended a meeting organised by an action group set up to fight proposals to build a windfarm between Kelmarsh and Naseby.
Residents, representatives from parish councils and other interested parties attended to listen to arguments against the proposals, which included speakers from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire who said they had been forced to leave their homes due to noise caused by nearby windfarms.
Held at Naseby Village Hall on Wednesday last week, the meeting was organised by the Stop Kelmarsh Windfarm Committee in response to proposals made by power company Eon and the Kelmarsh Hall Estate to investigate the possibility of installing up to eight turbines on grounds south of the A14.
Committee member Wendy Westall, of Haselbech, said she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the attendance at the meeting, adding: “It was fantastic, the speakers were excellent and a lot of people said they want to become actively involved in the committee, which will allow us to widen its appeal.”
Pauline Vann, who is clerk to both Welford and Naseby parish councils, attended the meeting and reported her findings to the meeting of Welford Parish Council last Thursday.
She said: “It was very interesting. The parish council is in the process of information-gathering at the moment and is liaising with Eon to ensure we are kept informed of developments.”
She added that some parish councillors had expressed concern that wind turbines are not as efficient as some other renewable sources such as wave energy but that the council would not be rushing into a decision on whether to support or oppose the proposals.
Members of the Stop Kelmarsh Windfarm Committee fear the proposals would have a devastating effect on the environment, spoiling views across the Naseby battle site, and disturbing wildlife.
They have also raised concerns over the potential danger to motorists using the A14, who they fear might be distracted by strobing light from the turbines when the sun is low in the sky.
Visit www.stopkelmarshwindfarm.com to register your support for the campaign.
Trustees from the Kelmarsh Hall Estate have said the scheme is being investigated as a way of ensuring the ‘financial stability’ of the trust, allowing it to carry out essential repairs to Kelmarsh Hall and the surrounding estate adding that there wil be full public consultation at the earliest point.
A spokesman from Eon said the company is planning to hold a public exhibition about the proposals at Naseby Village Hall on Wednesday, February 20, between 2 and 8pm.
31 January 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/02/04/hundreds-listen-to-windfarm-protests/