May 16, 2012
England

Wind turbines to power Northamptonshire pet food factory could be a danger to aircraft

Northampton Chronicle & Echo, www.northamptonchron.co.uk 15 May 2012

Two 110 metre-high wind turbines that would help power a pet food factory could be a danger to aircraft, plans suggest.

The wind farm has been proposed for land across the M1 from Crick after Daventry District Council received an application from developers Airvolution Energy.

Company bosses are now in talks with managers at Butchers Pet Care, whose base is to the north of Crick, to provide its electricity for up to the next 25 years.

But before the plans are approved, there are several stipulations, including that the huge metal structures do not interfere with radar used by aircraft flying to and from Coventry airport.

Because of their height, they would also have to be fitted with special lights to make them more visible to aeroplanes and helicopters.

The planning officer said: “No part of the development shall be brought into use until the requirements of the radar mitigation scheme have been implemented in full and it shall be retained and maintained at all times during the lifetime of the development.”

According to the Campaign to Protect Rural England there are 53 applications for wind turbines in Northamptonshire in the pipeline including at Bozeat, Kelmarsh, Yelvertoft and Watford.

At Crick, objections have already been lodged about the perceived damage caused by the turbines to the countryside landscape.

Crick Parish Council’s objection said: “The members were opposed to the application because of the impact the turbines would have on the open country side.

“The turbines would also impact on the old Watling Street, a path used by walkers and horse riders.

Councillors also said the turbines would be a distraction to drivers using the motorway slip road at junction 18 of the M1.

However planners who assessed the potential view from landmarks such as St Margarets Church in Crick, St Faith’s Church in Kilsby and Stanford Hall in Ashby St Ledgers said the impact of the turbines would be negligible.

Airvolution said the land, which will continue to be used as fields, is the perfect spot to power the Butchers Pet Care headquarters.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/16/wind-turbines-to-power-northamptonshire-pet-food-factory-could-be-a-danger-to-aircraft/