May 3, 2012
England

Meeting provides food for thought on turbine plans

By Jenny Moody, www.uttoxeter-news.co.uk 2 May 2012

‘It gave us food for thought’ said a senior surveyor behind plans for a giant wind turbine in Uttoxeter after a public meeting slamming the proposals.

Tim Claxton, senior estate surveyor of Aggregates Industries, attended the meeting at Stramshall Village Hall concerning the controversial plans for the 87-metre (285ft) turbine in Spath, on the current Uttoxeter Quarry site, to hear people’s views.

The meeting, which was left with standing room only, saw residents, politicians and councillors speak out against the plans along with representatives from groups such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Ramblers Association.

An action group was even formed to fight the plans, as Aggregates Industries prepare a planning application for Staffordshire County Council.

Mr Claxton, who attended the meeting, said: “It was useful to go along to listen to the opinions on what we are proposing.

This is part of the consultation process and we are trying to find out what people think, whether they like it or not.

“We have heard views from both sides, some people are against it and others are e-mailing and writing letters to us in support of it. We have very much had a mixture of views.

“It is important we hear what people have to say and there were a lot of people there including politicians and councillors, which was very useful to us. It gave us food for thought.

“I think in all honesty the level of attendance did surprise me as there were more than 100 people there so it was a good turnout.” He told The Advertiser the application is planned to be submitted this month as they are still waiting for vital information to be handed to them.

“Previously we were working to submit the planning application in April but it is more likely to be May now and it is things such as this we need to consider,” added Mr Claxton (pictured).

“We are still getting a lot of feedback from people and are currently waiting upon the environmental impact assessment feedback which is not in yet.

“There is still some work to do as far as we are concerned and we are also awaiting a screening opinion request from the county council for the full extent of the environmental impact statement that would accompany the application.

“The site is really being assessed so we still see any feedback as invaluable.” Those wishing to express their opposition to the proposal are being asked to write to Tim Claxton, Aggregate Industries, Bardon Hall, Copt Oak Road, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9PJ.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/03/meeting-provides-food-for-thought-on-turbine-plans/