February 11, 2011
England

Turbine objections gather force

By Alan Thompson, Leicester Mercury, www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk 11 February 2011

Wind farm protesters have welcomed news that the county’s planning authority is recommending rejection of a scheme near Melton.

The county council’s development control and regulatory board, which meets next Thursday, is being urged to oppose plans for nine turbines up to 410ft high at the old Asfordby mine.

The committee is being urged to recommend Melton Borough Council throws out the plans.

A report to go before the board states: “The impact of the proposals outweighs the more general environmental benefits for renewable energy generated by the development, and the county planning authority raises an objection to the proposed development on this basis.”

Developer Peel Energy says the turbines, which could be working by 2015 if given the go-ahead, would produce enough energy to supply electricity to 8,500 homes – a third of households in the Melton borough.

Protest group STOP (Stop Turbines Oppose Peel) staged a walk across the proposed site at the weekend attended by about 80 people.

Campaigner Emma Musson said: “This a good step forward in the campaign to oppose the application. It is an unsuitable site for a wind farm and the statement from Leicestershire County Council backs this up.

“There are many homes close to the proposed site and the closest residential areas include the conservation villages of Asfordby, Saxelbye, Wartnaby, Ab Kettleby and the historic town of Melton Mowbray.

“It is a rural area, not industrial, as the developer would make out, and the wider landscape would be adversely affected.”

She added they were concerned about increased noise and property values falling.

Peel Energy held sessions last year to explain its plans.

A Peel Energy spokesman said: “Peel will be reviewing the comments of the county council carefully before deciding what action to take.”

The news comes as the Government revealed plans to give incentives to communities to take on wind farms.

Energy minister Charles Hendry said communities needed to see real benefits if they were to take on turbines “in the national interest.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/11/turbine-objections-gather-force/