April 8, 2008
England

More meetings planned over Fen wind farm

Developers of a proposed wind farm in the Fens are organising two more public meetings so residents can see the plans for themselves.

A planned public exhibition in Marshland St James to seek the views of local people on the proposals was called off at short notice last month after organisers claimed they had received threats, and vehicles and property were damaged.

At a meeting with parish councillors last week the company agreed to organise a replacement public exhibition in Marshland St James after liaising with police. It also agreed to hold an additional exhibition at Tilney St. Lawrence.

Bruce Pittingale, of Marshland Wind Farm, said: “We are keen to obtain the views of local people and to reflect these in the proposals which we put forward.

“We very much regretted having to cancel the public exhibition at Marshland St James, the village right at the heart of the proposed development, but the very explicit threats of violence which we received meant we could not guarantee the safety either of our own staff or of the public visiting the exhibition.

“We will be working closely with the police about arrangements for security at these events, as we were forced to do for the meeting with the parish councillors.”

Marshland Wind Farm has proposed a development of 19 wind turbines on land adjoining Marshland St James. Detailed proposals are being put forward for public consultation before a planning application is submitted.

But the scheme has been dogged by protests. A test mast put up to check wind speeds was destroyed, and shortly afterwards consortium member Richard Herbert drowned himself after becoming depressed over opposition to the scheme.