July 17, 2008
England
England
A campaign has been launched against plans to build a wind farm near Brixworth after more than 150 people voiced their opposition at a public meeting.
Although the planning application for the scheme has not yet been submitted, property development company Bolsterstone is hoping to build seven wind turbines at Lodge Farm, north of Brixworth village towards Hanging Houghton.
Organised by The Lodge Farm Wind Farm Action Group, last night’s meeting at Brixworth Community Centre heard from Professor Michael Jefferson, an energy and environmental advisor, and East Midlands MEP, Chris Heaton-Harris.
Both men argued against the building of the wind farm and urged residents in the area to support a campaign to fight the planning application.
David Ward, one of the organisers of the meeting, said: “Our biggest concern is that we do not want the scenic value of the area to be destroyed.
“We get a lot of information about how good wind farms are but they are only suitable for certain places and this part of England is not one of them.”
Many of the residents who attended the meeting agreed to support The Lodge Farm Wind Farm Action Group, who will now set up a website and print leaflets and posters opposing the scheme.
Mr Ward said: “I am very pleased with the turnout. I suspect the planning application is going to be coming in relatively soon. Now we need to get ourselves sorted and ready.”
East Midlands MEP, Chris Heaton-Harris urged the audience to write to their MP, the Lodge Farm land owners and Bolsterstone to register their opposition against the scheme.
Bolsterstone said last week they would be holding a full public consultation and any concerns from local residents would be discussed then.
The property company also said an environmental statement would be published prior to the planning application submission and would be available at various locations in the area.
Northampton Chronicle and Echo
17 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/17/villagers-prepared-to-fight-turbines-project/