February 28, 2012
England

Wind turbines taller than Lincoln Cathedral are offensive, says Gainsborouigh MP Edward Leigh

Gainsborough Target, www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk 28 February 2012

Turbines taller than Lincoln Cathedral or Big Ben, which could be built if a wind farm near Gainsborough is allowed, have been described as ‘offensive’ by the town’s MP.

Veteran Tory grandee Edward Leigh spoke out against the SSE Renewables’ plan for up to 17 turbines of 126 metres at Yawthorpe near Corringham.

“The proposed windmills would stand over 400 feet tall, making them taller than Lincoln Cathedral or Big Ben,” said Mr Leigh.

“As a countryside dweller and frequent rambler, I am totally opposed to the building of wind farms which are beginning to blight our rural areas.

“Not only are these structures an offence to behold and to hear, they are entirely economically unjustifiable and are made profitable only by massive subsidies from central government.

“In this trying times when many of us are feeling the pinch, government should end these counter-productive subsidies and make sure that money stays in the pockets of working people rather than subsidy scroungers.”

Mr Leigh joined more than 100 MPs who signed a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling for the subsidy for on-shore wind farms to be scrapped entirely.

It also called for the national planning policy framework to be changed to ensure that local views are given priority when considering applications for on-shore wind farms.

SSE Renewables have carried out consultations with local residents and are preparing a planning application for consideration by West Lindsey District Council.

And last week it was revealed that the proposed 10-turbine wind farm which ‘green’ developers RWE want to build at nearby Hemswell Cliff had also divided public opinion.

A two-day exhibition which attracted 240 visitors led to just over half of those who gave an opinion saying they were against the plans.

Big Ben’s clock tower at the Houses of Parliament is 96 metres tall, compared to Lincoln Cathedral’s spires at a maximum 83 metres’ tall.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/28/wind-turbines-taller-than-lincoln-cathedral-are-offensive-says-gainsborouigh-mp-edward-leigh/