July 11, 2008
England

Carsington wind turbine protest group is unhappy with claims

Campaigners fighting plans to build four 335ft-high wind turbines have criticised claims that they would not affect local views.

The Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group made its comments yesterday, during a public inquiry at Matlock Town Hall into the proposal for turbines at Carsington Pasture.

Jeff Stevenson, landscape and visual consultant for applicant Carsington Wind Energy Ltd, said people in Brassington, Carsington and Hopton, would only see, at most, “the top of rotor blades on one to three turbines.”

But action group leader Janice Southway said the turbines would damage tourism and affect all three historic villages, which include 77 protected buildings.

Her group has collected a 1,400-name protest petition.

She said: “We don’t agree with Mr Stevenson’s comments. There will be a visual impact for villagers and tourists.

“And fewer tourists would reduce takings for pubs, guest houses and restaurants.”

Mr Stevenson told the inquiry that visitors’ appreciation of the landscape would not be affected by the turbines.

He said: “They do attract the eye but I don’t think that they are the resting place of the gaze. People will look around the whole area.”

Earlier in the inquiry, Carsington Wind Energy said that the turbines would power 5,500 homes and that local companies would be able to bid for construction contracts worth about £1.5m.

But Anthony Crean, QC, for Derbyshire Dales District Council, which rejected the original plan, said that the development would harm the landscape.

The eight-day inquiry is expected to conclude tomorrow.

This Is Derbyshire

11 July 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/11/carsington-wind-turbine-protest-group-is-unhappy-with-claims/