September 7, 2011
England

Villagers braced for new battle against wind turbines near Lichfield

Lichfield Live, lichfieldlive.co.uk

Residents who fought off plans to build four 420ft wind turbines being built near Lichfield are bracing themselves to battle new proposals by the company behind the scheme.

Villagers living near Haunton had seen German energy giant Prowind withdraw their original proposals after planners had recommended the wind farm be rejected on environmental impact grounds.

However, a new scheme being drawn up is expected to include a reduction in the height of each wind turbine and will suggest just three instead of four.

Matthew Ellis, the area’s County Councillor, has said he will once again support the community in raising public awareness of the new scheme. He explained:

“The principle of wind farms polarises views amongst local communities. Strength of feeling on Prowind’s original application was consistent and overwhelming opposition. The shear scale of those proposals were extraordinary in such an important and beautiful part of Staffordshire.

“Prowind’s representatives recently approached me to ask my views on the likely reaction of the community to a revised application. I think most people agree that we need to find ways of using less energy and also producing cleaner more secure supplies but it is the impact of any wind farm on this specific location at Haunton which is the issue. Local people will have the chance to discuss their views at a meeting this Saturday. While I have concerns about the high tax payer subsidy needed for wind generation, the key here is whether local people believe the likely proposals are any more acceptable than before.

“I am concerned about the fact a planning authority which looks after one area doesn’t necessarily liaise with neighbouring planning authorities when determining a wind farm application. This isolated decision making could lead to a proliferation meaning the compound effect on a wider area is very significant indeed.”

A public meeting about the new proposals will take place at Harlaston Village Hall this Saturday (September 10) at 10am. To register for email updates on the proposed wind farm development visit www.matthewellis.cc/register-for-wind-farm-updates.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/07/villagers-braced-for-new-battle-against-wind-turbines-near-lichfield/