March 29, 2013
England

Celebrations for protesters against wind farm

By Amanda Devlin | Published on 29/03/2013 | Leighton Buzzard Observer | www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk

A crowd of protesters united against the controversial plans for a wind farm near Stoke Hammond were overjoyed to see the proposal quashed by councillors.

Aylesbury Vale District Council rejected plans submitted by Force 9 Energy for four 125m high wind turbines at Dorcas Lane, which were described as being three times the height of Milton Keynes’ Xscape.

Residents from Stoke Hammond, Stewkley, Soulbury, Great Brickhill, Hollingdon, Newton Longville and Drayton Parslow, which are the villages that would have been most affected, all turned out in their droves to show their support against the application.

Vice chaiman of Stop Dorcas Lane Turbines (SDLT) told the LBO after the decision that it was a victory for common sense and local democracy.

Joseph Cresswell said: “SDLT is obviously delighted that common sense has prevailed and AVDC councillors have pulled the plug on this controversial development by refusing consent.

“The entire community; from local residents and landowners to parish councils, councillors and environmental groups, have united to send an unequivocal message to windfarm developers looking for an easy profit at our expense.

“This was the wrong development in the wrong place. We will not accept it in the midst of our rural communities.

“We are proud that our elected councillors have taken on board our concerns and voted down this irresponsible plan.

“But while this is an important victory, it may not be the end. We must wait to see if Force 9 Energy will appeal this democratic decision.

“We will respond accordingly if they do. We will fight this application through all available means, every step of the way, to protect our villages from this get-rich-quick scheme by these speculative developers.

“We have been forced to defend ourselves against powerful corporations exploiting badly written national policy. It is high time Government changed this.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/29/celebrations-for-protesters-against-wind-farm/