December 22, 2011
England

Wind farm will be built at Naseby battle site despite admission it will ‘harm’ area

Northampton Chronicle & Echo, www.northamptonchron.co.uk 21 December 2011

A wind farm can be built next to the Battle of Naseby site in Northamptonshire, despite officials admitting the large turbines will ‘harm its setting’.

Last year, members of Daventry District Council blocked plans to build turbines to the north of Haselbech, near Naseby, because of the impact the development would have on the area.

But this week, national planning inspector, Paul Griffiths, overturned that decision, meaning six turbines up to 415ft tall can be built.

In his report, Mr Griffith said: “The wind turbines would introduce another modern element into views into and across the battlefield.

“Their presence would act as a further distraction that would make interpretation more difficult. This would detract from the significance of the battlefield and harm its setting.

“However, while it would introduce movement, the turbines would occupy a limited part of the field of view.”

The inspector also argued that electricity firm EON said the turbines would be taken down after 25 years.

But campaigners against the turbines said the development would devastate the area for years to come.

Derryn Rolfe, the chairman of the Stop Kelmarsh Windfarm group, said: “We’re gutted. This development will have the most devastating effect on the heritage of the area.”

EON said it now planned to ‘work closely with the community’ as it progresses the plans for the wind farm

A spokesman for the firm said: “We firmly believe our proposal represents the right technology, in the right location, to ensure energy security and combat climate change.”

The Battle of Naseby in 1645 is classed as one of the most important battles fought in Britain. It saw Parliament’s New Model Army destroy King Charles I’s army, leading to the modern system of Parliamentary democracy.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/22/wind-farm-will-be-built-at-naseby-battle-site-despite-admission-it-will-harm-area/