December 13, 2011
England

Met mast goes up amid protests

Leighton Buzzard Observer, www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk 12 December 2011

A controversial met mast, which is at the centre of a battle to prevent a wind farm on land outside Stoke Hammond, has gone up in a field off Dorcas Lane.

The 70ft construction, which has a red flashing light on top, is built to take wind speed and weather readings on the site which has been earmarked by Force 9 energy for five wind turbines.

Protesters from at least five villages near the site have launched a massive campaign aimed at fighting the move which they say will blight the countryside.

On their website the Stop Dorcas Lane Turbines action group say: “The met mast, if nothing else, helps to put into context the height of the wind turbines. These are 125m (nearly 400ft each) to the tip of the blade, with a hub height 10m (30ft) higher than the met mast. The met mast has a red light on the top, making it particularly identifiable at night. So, when you look at the met mast, try and envisage what five taller, much wider structures looming out from the same location might look like.”

Force 9 Energy have given a strong indication that the main application for the wind farm will be submitted this month.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/13/met-mast-goes-up-amid-protests/