May 3, 2011
England

Earley windfarm plans thrown out

The Reading Chronicle, www.readingchronicle.co.uk 3 May 2011

Hundreds of people clapped and cheered as a major application to build “looming and imposing” wind turbines in Earley was thrown out by councillors.

Homeowners who have campaigned for years against the four 80 metre (262ft) high wind turbines on Reading University-owned land at Rushy Mead in Lower Earley, south of the M4, turned out in force to hear the outcome of the controversial plans, which were submitted back in 2008 by Carbon Trust’s Partnership for Renewables (PfR).

Mike Heard, from Arborfield Parish Council, told Wokingham’s planning committee: “Good planning ensures the right development in the right place at the right time and this is not it. This area is important to local people. It is one of the few recreational areas available which will be blighted by these turbines.

“The turbines are too close to people’s homes and the noise should be taken into consideration. I object to this proposal in the strongest terms.”

But Stephen Ainger, from PfR, said: “We have liaised with the community and reduced the number of turbines. We are only paid for the amount of power we produce and the turbines would provide cheap electricity to nearby businesses.

“Turbines are regarded as good neighbours and this proposal is informed by years of research.”

Councillors voted unanimously against the application at the meeting on Wednesday last week. For more on this story, pick up Thursday’s Reading Chronicle.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/03/earley-windfarm-plans-thrown-out/