February 14, 2013
England

New Tetney wind turbines are sign of things to come unless we fight, says campaigner

Grimsby Telegraph | February 14, 2013 | www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

“This is a sign of things to come if we do not continue our fight.”

The words of avid anti-wind farm campaigner Melvin Grosvenor, as Anglian Water’s two 105-metre high turbines at Newton Marsh, Tetney, prepare to start turning.

Their construction comes as ASC Renewables pushes on with an application to build eight more 115-metre high turbines next to Anglian Water’s, on land at Bishopthorpe Farm – adjacent to Newton Marsh – while a separate application for three 113-metre high turbines by Partnership for Renewables at neighbouring Louth Canal, North Thoresby, makes headway.

Mr Grosvenor said: “I have been aware of the two turbines at Newton Marsh for some time but it is fair to say the general public have not. Now they are here, residents must look at them and realise they are a sign of things to come.

“People need to be getting really concerned because these developers will not be satisfied until they get their way. They literally want to carpet the whole of Lincolnshire with wind turbines.”

The Anglian Water turbines are being tested before they become operational in the next few months. They will then power the sewage treatment works which they are next to, and local homes.

Since the Marsh Windfarm Action Group formed, 2,000 people have formally opposed ASC’s and Partnership for Renewables’ applications, with another 1,000 letters expected once Humberston Fitties residents – which neighbours the Newton Marsh Wind Farm – return to their chalets.

Executives at Bourne Leisure, the owners of Thorpe Park in Cleethorpes, will meet this week. They fear the wind farms will put tourists off and damage trade.

At the recent public enquiry into Energiekontor’s Gayton-le-Marsh wind farm application, near Louth, the firm’s barrister’s closing statement was that the landscape of rural England is changing to meet renewable energy targets set by central government.

But Lincolnshire has already met its share of UK targets and Lincolnshire County Council has said it does not want anymore – although it is East Lindsey District Council which has the final say.

A spokesperson for Partnership for Renewables said: “While we accept there is some opposition to the proposal, it is also worth noting there has been significant support shown for the Louth Canal project.”

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “Energy costs account for about 11 per cent of all of Anglian Water’s expenditure, and those costs are constantly rising. Generating renewable energy is a way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which can help us offset the impact of rising energy costs on our customers’ bills.”

Meanwhile, plans have been submitted for a 15-metre high wind turbine to be erected in North Cotes.

East Lindsey District Council has received the plans for the turbine on land at Wisma Compland, Sheep Marsh Lane.

It is 14.97 metres high with a blade span of 5.6 metres.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/14/new-tetney-wind-turbines-are-sign-of-things-to-come-unless-we-fight-says-campaigner/