January 13, 2013
England

Minister ruffles feathers in wind farm debate

Leighton Buzzard Observer | 13 January 2013 | www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk

Opponents of a controversial scheme to site a wind turbines just outside Leighton-Linslade have received welcome backing this week from government planning minister, Nick Boles, who told colleague, energy minister John Hayes, that those opposed to windfarms should not be “ridden over roughshod”.

Mr Boles re-ignited the inshore wind row when he said, in a private letter that was leaked to a national newspaper: “We should be working with communities.

“Government policies on renewable energy are no excuse for building wind farms in the wrong place. We need a package of measures that command broad public support.”

Mr Boles’ comments come on the back of Mr Hayes’ recent outspoken objection to the continued proliferation of windfarms against the wishes of local communities.

Force 9 Energy and electricity company EDF – the applicants at the Dorcas Lane site near Stoke Hammond – claim that the turbines will generate significant energy at no harm either to local residents, public health, wildlife or property prices.

But latest scientific studies show that health and sleeping problems are associated with windfarms near residential communities, while legal precedent has been set elsewhere with compensation paid and council tax rates reduced where properties are affected by the proximity of turbines.

Local residents opposed to the application have formed the Stop Dorcas Lane Turbines group (SDLT) to fight proposals. The scheme is expected to go before Aylesbury Vale District Council’s development control committee on March 1.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/13/minister-ruffles-feathers-in-wind-farm-debate/