April 14, 2008
England

FENLAND: Police investigate fire at home of anti-wind farm protestor

Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the home of a leading anti-wind farm protestor, while a man is being questioned over an incident near the property this morning.

A number of ducks were killed in a fire in a wooden outbuilding at Rands Drove, Marshland St James, on Saturday night.

Fire-fighters from Outwell, Wisbech and Downham Market took almost an hour to extinguish the fire, which almost destroyed the building at the home of West Norfolk councillor David Markinson.

Cllr Markinson is a leading opponent of proposals to build 19 wind turbines on farmland near the village. Today Norfolk Fire Service said the blaze was suspicious, while police confirmed they were investigating.

Norfolk police said a man in his 30s was today being questioned on suspicion of affray and assault following a separate incident near the same property this morning.

It is the latest in a string of incidents which have happened since Marshland Wind Farm Ltd went public with its plans. A test mast put up to check wind speeds was demolished, consortium members’ property has been attacked and one farmer killed himself after becoming depressed over opposition to the plan.

Last week it emerged security guards were called in to patrol the guards of Marshland’s Jubilee Hall, when members of the wind farm consortium met parish councillors.

14 April 2008