August 3, 2011
England

Parties to face each other over wind farm

Julian Makey, www.cambridge-news.co.uk 3 August 2011

Wind farm developers and campaigners will go head-to-head at a public inquiry this month.

Broadview Energy Developments has launched an appeal against the refusal of its plan to build four 410ft wind turbines in Kimbolton.

A public inquiry will begin at Huntingdonshire District Council’s Pathfinder House headquarters on August 16 and is expected to last for the rest of the month.

The wind farm, on land west of the Bicton Industrial Park including the former Kimbolton airfield, was rejected by the council in January.

Residents from Kimbolton and nearby villages are expected to take part in the hearing and have their own legal expert.

Martin Patterson, chairman of Stop Bicton Wind Farm, said they opposed the farm because it would harm the unspoilt heritage of the area.

He said: “We, along with our local parish councils, Tilbrook, Stow Longa, Kimbolton, Catworth and Perry, all turned it down as did Huntingdonshire District Council.

“The proposed wind farm is on a ridge above the Kym valley which is 300ft high and the turbines are a further 125 metres. They would tower above the area and cause a considerable change to the landscape.”

Mr Patterson said the valley was one of the few local areas which remained unspoilt. He said the district council had been forward-thinking in drawing up a plan for a wind farm which specified they should not be built on ridgelines, highlighting Kimbolton as an example.

The plan was rejected by the district council on the grounds that it contravened local and national planning policies and damaged the cultural heritage of the area.

Olly Buck, development manager for Broadview, said: “We continue to believe that the Bicton site is an appropriate location for a wind farm.

“We are hopeful that the Government inspector will recognise the important role wind farms have to play in contributing towards the aims of tackling climate change and increasing our energy security.”

The inquiry is open to the public and starts at 10am.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/03/parties-to-face-each-other-over-wind-farm/