June 18, 2008
England
England
Families battling against a planning proposal to install 100-metre wind turbines near their houses say they have been “overwhelmed” by the support they have received.
An application was made in February last year to plant four wind turbines on Carsington Pasture, which overlooks several villages and the reservoir.
A group of residents from Carsington and Hopton launched a campaign to thwart the plans, which were turned down unanimously by Derbyshire Dales District Council planners.
But they have recently decided to restart their campaign, to help them fight an appeal made by the applicants, West Coast Energy.
Campaigners have been manning an information stand in Carsington village to rally support from locals and visitors and so far more than 500 signatures have been signed on a petition.
Along with the petition, the campaign group now has more than 400 letters to be sent to the planning inspectorate, adding further weight to the campaign.
Janice Southway of the Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group said: “Our campaign has already helped highlight that this proposal will not just impact on the three conservation villages of Carsington, Hopton and Brassington but also the millions of visitors from around the country who come to enjoy this area.
“Visitors from all over the UK, from Norfolk to Cumbria, Aberystwyth to Newcastle – and even Australia – have expressed support and we take great heart from this in the fight against West Coast Energy’s appeal, and their accusations of Nimbyism.
“The information stand will continue to be manned at the weekends, right up to the start of the appeal in order to help show the planning enquiry the depth of feeling against the wind farm from those visiting this beautiful part of the Derbyshire countryside.”
West Derbyshire MP Patrick McLoughlin recently visited the stand and is calling for wide consultation over the wind turbine plans for Carsington.
Mr McLoughlin is urging residents to put forward their views about the proposals and has also called on district councillors to ensure that public involvement is well publicised after local residents complained previous consultations were not widely advertised.
The appeal hearing is due to take around two weeks and will take place in the council offices, Matlock, from July 1.
By Gareth Butterfield
18 June 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/06/18/wind-farm-plans-blow-up-a-storm/