April 26, 2012
England
England
Over 100 villagers in Clifton Campville are calling on the Government to rethink rules over wind turbines
by Justine Halifax, Birmingham Mail, Apr 26 2012 www.birminghammail.net
by Justine Halifax, Birmingham Mail, Apr 26 2012 www.birminghammail.net
More than 100 villagers living near the site of a proposed wind farm have penned letters to a Government minister calling for a rethink over wind turbine rules.
Addressed to Planning Minister, Dr Greg Clark MP, the letters were handed over by Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher at Parliament.
The letters were signed by 157 Clifton Campville residents following the news that Prowind plans to reapply to build two turbines nearby at Hoggs Hill, Haunton.
Last April the German firm withdrew an application for four 420ft turbines on the same site hours before a council meeting after learning it was earmarked for refusal.
Around 900 residents had objected to the plan over claims the installations would “dwarf the landscape” and stand twice as tall as nearby St Andrew’s Church.
But a 450-page application for Lichfield District Council, leaked to the Birmingham Mail in February, revealed the company was planning to resubmit plans for two 330ft turbines.
Mr Pincher said: “Residents are concerned about proposals for wind farms in our communities.
“I, along with local residents, have been clear in opposing these proposals.
“They are not only damaging to our environment but they’re also uneconomical and produce hardly any power.
“These letters ask the minister to take into consideration local people’s concerns and award them more power so they have more of a say in what is built in their local communities. That is the spirit of localism.”
Energy Minister, Greg Barker, recently suggested the Government’s energy policy would shift the balance away from wind farms to other sources of energy.
Mr Pincher added: “I am pleased the Government is taking into account the economics of wind farms and is looking to redress the balance in favour of energy sources which are clean, predictable and do not scar the countryside.
“I shall be bringing the Energy Minister’s comments to the attention of Lichfield District Council – and Prowind.”