April 4, 2008
England

Voters to have say on wind-powered cheese

A referendum into two wind turbines at a cheese farm in Parkham is taking place.

Members of Parkham Parish Conservation Association (PPCA), objects to the application by Parkham Farms, and has asked for the poll.

The vote is on Thursday, April 24, on whether the application for Sedborough Farm should be rejected.

PPCA chairman Garry Jennings said: “It is important that the community is able to express its opinion about a project as controversial as the wind farm.

“While the PPCA is not opposed to renewable energy, we believe an industrial development on the scale proposed at Sedborough Farm is totally inappropriate for the beautiful rural area in which we all live and work.”

Peter Willies is behind the application submitted to Torridge District Council.

He told the Journal that by placing two 100m-tall wind turbines on his 270-acre farm it would generate enough power to supply his cheese farm and 34 local farms which provide it with milk.

The application has been called in to the planning committee by district councillor Tony Collins because of “the enormous amount of public concern.”

Parkham Parish Council held a special meeting last Saturday to discuss the application further, while West and East Putford Parish Council has recommended the application be refused.

Mr Willies said: “These turbines will secure the future of our cheese business, together with the local farmers and staff that we jointly employ.”