March 9, 2011
England

Wind farm protestors issue rallying cry

Melton Times, www.meltontimes.co.uk 8 March 2011

Anti-wind farm protestors are hoping that the exercise of flying a blimp on the site of nine proposed turbines on land between the Asfordby villages and Ab Kettleby will help galvanise opposition to the scheme.

The idea was to demonstrate the height of the turbines, all but one of which will be 125m (410ft) to the tip of the blade.

Protest group STOP claimed the exercise showed the ‘industrial scale’ of Peel Energy’s plans and issued a rallying cry for people to send in their letters of objection to Melton Council by March 22.

Spokeswoman Emma Musson said: “Although the weather was less than perfect the blimp could clearly be seen soaring above the landscape and high above Melton, surrounding villages and beyond from all approach roads to the town.

“The turbines will dominate the area, ruining the beautiful views of church spires and undulating wolds landscape that is key to Melton’s rural heritage.”

Patrick Keogh, development manager for Peel Energy, said it had agreed to fly the blimp following requests from the community and MP Alan Duncan, but he added: “It has always been our view that the photomontages we submitted with our application give a fair and true representation of the visual impact of the turbines.”

Mr Duncan said: “I was shocked at just how tall the turbines will be and their proximity to people’s homes.”

Comments, quoting the reference 10/00951/FUL and including your name and address, should be sent to Jennifer Wallis, Melton Borough Council, Nottingham Road, Melton, LE13 0UL or email jwallis@melton.gov.uk

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/09/wind-farm-protestors-issue-rallying-cry/