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Residents’ delight as BT drops wind turbines bid
Credit: Burnley Express, www.burnleyexpress.net 10 October 2010 ~~
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Telecoms giant BT has announced it is dropping plans to create a giant windfarm on the borders of Reedley, Fence and Higham.
The proposal suggested to Pendle Council was to install four giant wind turbines, measuring almost 400ft. in height. They would have produced electricity to power the telephone system locally.
The site proposed was at Moor Isles Farm off Woodend Road, Reedley.
The project met strong opposition in Pendleside, however – particularly from the group SHAFT (Stop Higham and Fence Turbines).
This week, BT said that after thorough environmental and ongoing technical assessments of the site, and feedback from the community, it had “at this time” decided not to proceed with a planning application for three wind turbines at Reedley.
The company has advised Pendle Council of this decision and says it will be in touch with residents and other organisations.
The plans formed part of BT’s UK-wide Wind for Change project, which intends to generate 250 megawatts of renewable energy a year, providing around a quarter of the company’s current electricity needs.
Mr Tom Martin, head of partnership development for Wind for Change, said: “Ongoing assessments at Reedley highlighted technical challenges which, when considered against the benefits of pursuing a planning application, have led to our decision not to progress the proposals at this time and to focus on other sites in our portfolio. BT is a responsible renewable energy developer and we remain committed to generating electricity from renewable sources and are pursuing other opportunities throughout the UK.”
Old Laund Booth ward councillor and former Pendle Council leader John David said: “I think it is absolutely splendid news. I have rapidly become more convinced the whole project was in the wrong place and would have been to the severe detriment of Fence and the residents.
“I have been impressed with the calm but measured way in which opponents of the scheme have organised their opposition. I am delighted their action and efforts have paid off.”
Mr Alan Riley, secretary of SHAFT said: “It’s fabulous news, taking into account everything, BT feel it is the wrong site. They have decided it is not appropriate at this time to proceed with. There is no doubt in my mind the opposition has made a tremendous effect.”
He said 98% of people who attended the BT public meeting on the windfarm said they did not want it to happen.
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