April 6, 2011
England

Wind farm plan could be a blow

Milton Keynes Citizen, www.miltonkeynes.co.uk 6 April 2011Milton Keynes Citizen, www.miltonkeynes.co.uk 6 April 2011

Another giant wind farm could tower over the landscape of rural Milton Keynes, the Citizen can reveal.

This week Ecotricity revealed plans to build 15th wind turbines on farmland between Stoke Goldington and Hanslope.

The site is less than two miles away from Little Linford, where rival company Entec is hoping to install five turbines.

Together the two wind farms would power more than 30,000 homes.

They are also only a few miles away from the existing Petsoe End wind farm near Emberton.

The new proposals have blown away Friends of the Earth, who say it is the perfect way for Milton Keynes to increase its renewable energy.

But they have not gone down so well with many residents living in the four villages.

They say the huge structures – each almost as tall as the London Eye – will be a severe blot on the landscape.

They also fear problems with noise and disruption.

Both proposed schemes come within the Hanslope Park ward of Tory councillor Andrew Geary.

“For some reason this rural, northern part of the city seems to have been chosen as the wind turbine capital of Milton Keynes,” he said.

“Many people are worried about the effect of such developments.

“More than anything, the residents want to be consulted fully and they want their views to be taken into account.”

Councillor Geary has criticised Ecotricity for holding its consultation meetings in the daytime today and Friday, excluding working people.

He has now organised his own meeting at Hanslope Village Hall on Tuesday April 19 at 7.30pm.

A Ecotricity spokesman said all the information would be on display at Newport Pagnell library but the company might consider holding a third meeting.

“We are also available five days a week by email and phone to help if anyone has any questions.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/06/wind-farm-plan-could-be-a-blow/