August 2, 2012
England

Leicestershire villagers fear impact of 330ft wind turbine

Leicester Mercury | www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk 2 August 2012

A 330ft wind turbine would spoil a picturesque valley, villagers say.

Prowind UK wants to put the mast next to Burton Brook, between Burton Overy and Kibworth Harcourt.

A public meeting has been organised at Burton Overy village hall on Wednesday, August 15 to discuss the impact of the project.

Burton Overy Parish Council clerk Steve Kirk said: “There is considerable opposition from residents about this scheme.

“People are worried about the visual impact it would have and the noise nuisance it would cause.

“It is a beautiful part of the county which is well used by walkers.

“People are also concerned that it may be the first of many turbines.

“We have organised the public meeting so people can speak to representatives from the wind company.”

He said residents of surrounding villages had been contacted so they could attend the meeting.

David Pease, whose Illston on the Hill home would overlook the turbine, said: “It would be a tragedy if planners allowed the proposed wind farm at Burton Brook to be built.

“This is one of the most natural and unspoilt spots in east Leicestershire and it would be ruined by the construction of a vast wind turbine.

“The structure would visible from miles away.”

He said wind farms had a negligible impact on carbon emissions and claimed they were about “maximising the considerable Government subsidies available”.

“I hope the planners Harborough District Council will recognise the strength of opposition feeling within the community,” he said.

County councillor for the area Dr Kevin Feltham has urged Prowind UK to arrange a public exhibition.

He said: “I congratulate Burton Overy Parish Council for arranging a public meeting but it cannot take the place of a public exhibition organised by the developer – preferably at a weekend.”

He said the visual impact of the turbine on this important area of open countryside would be immense.

“It will be visible across a very wide area, including parts of Burton Overy, Carlton Curlieu, Great Glen, King’s Norton, Illston-on-the-Hill, Kibworth Harcourt, Fleckney and Tur Langton,” he said.

“The proposed site lies very close to a public right of way running between Kibworth Harcourt and Burton Overy that is used by hundreds of walkers every year.

“The wind farm would have an impact on the pleasure of walking in this beautiful part of Leicestershire.”

Prowind UK managing director Keith Brooks said: “We consider that this is an appropriate location for a wind farm.

“We have listened to local concerns and have scaled down the project.

“We were going to erect two larger turbines but have reduced it to one of 102m (330ft).”

He said the company was prepared to organise a public exhibition and had accepted an invitation to the public meeting.

He said: “I can say that there will only be one turbine which would be connected directly to the 11,000 volt network.”

The public meeting starts at 8pm.

Mr Brooks said he would welcome people to contact him about any concerns that by e-mailing:

brooks@prowinduk.com

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/02/leicestershire-villagers-fear-impact-of-330ft-wind-turbine/