July 15, 2012
England

Staffordshire villagers unhappy with MEP’s wind turbines plan

BBC News | www.bbc.co.uk 14 July 2012

Staffordshire villagers are concerned over plans for two wind turbines on land owned by a West Midlands MEP.

Prowind UK’s application for a site owned by Phillip Bennion off Main Road, Haunton, was given to Lichfield District Council last month.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said there was a need to “embrace change” and that he was an advocate of renewable energy.

One local resident said she was worried if plans were given the green light then many more turbines would follow.

Lynette Lewis, who attended a public meeting at nearby Harlaston Village Hall, said although the views from her house would be “ruined” by the 102 m (335 ft) high structures she was not simply worried about her own property.

‘Suitable land’

“There is the question of whether these are actually effective enough in terms of what they’re designed to achieve,” she said.

“If they were perhaps we might look at it in different way but for me there are better ways to achieve energy efficiency.

“We are worried that this will open the floodgates and set a precedent for [more turbines] in this area.”

Mr Bennion said: “I signed an agreement with Prowind five years or so ago after they approached me and let me know they thought my particular part of farm land here was suitable for the erection of two wind turbines.

“I have for 20 years been advocating a switch to renewable energy.

“Clearly the planning authorities will be weighing up the advantages of moving to renewable energy and the obvious changes to the landscape.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/15/staffordshire-villagers-unhappy-with-meps-wind-turbines-plan/