June 1, 2012
England

More parishes object to church turbines plan

Western Morning News, www.thisiscornwall.co.uk 31 May 2012

A third rural community has overwhelmingly rejected plans by the Diocese of Exeter to build wind turbines on church land, amid anger at a lack of “common decency”.

Around 90 people attended a meeting in East Anstey, in North Devon, and unanimously voted against a proposal to build two 25-metre turbines, under the first wave of a Church of England scheme to reduce its carbon footprint.

The North Devon parishes of Chittlehampton and Black Torrington have also voted no.

Peter Wood, chairman of East Anstey Parish Council, said Monday’s meeting drew people from “far and wide”, who all opposed the plans.

He said: “A lot of people were angry over the way this has been done, and the lack of consultation with church people. A lot of churchgoers are quite upset. They felt that it would have been common decency to consult them. Whether you’re for wind farms or not, the anger is directed more at the church than anything else.”

The parish council will compose a formal response at its meeting on June 13, but Mr Wood said it would have to reject the proposal because of the strength of feeling of the people it represents.

The Diocese held its own meeting about the plans at which campaigners had hoped they would withdraw the applications, but yesterday the Diocese released a statement which indicated the proposal was still on the table.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/01/more-parishes-object-to-church-turbines-plan/