August 13, 2013
England

Fears over ‘accumulation’ of wind farms

by Ken McErlain | Peterborough Telegraph | 13 August 2013 | www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk

Concerned villagers raised fears over an “accumulation” of wind farm developments near Peterborough at a packed meeting last week.

Dozens of residents attended the event at the Duke of Bedford Hall in Thorney which was set up to inform people of the latest developments with on-going wind farm bids.

At present there are plans to build an energy park on farmland around Newborough, as well as separate bids for smaller energy developments at Gores Farm and French Farm near Thorney.

At present each application is currently awaiting planning permission. Plans for the controversial energy park have been delayed while archaeological work is carried out.

The meeting saw speeches by Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson, local councillor David Sanders and members of the Newborough Landscape Protection Group (NLPG).

Cllr David Sanders (Con, Eye and Thorney) said: “The majority of people in the area don’t want these wind farms because they feel they will decimate the beautiful Fenland countryside.

“And it’s crucial that they know how to make their feelings known. The meeting gave myself and Stewart Jackson a chance to outline how they can object to the plans.

“We don’t want these applications to open the floodgates for further wind farms.”

Don Turner, a Thorney resident who has campaigned against the plans, said: “There is a lot of concern that the Thorney area is being targeted when there are others sites which could be used.

“It’s crucial to keep people in the loop. At this stage, with little new developments, people may start to forget about the plans or think they’ve gone through. The message was pressed home that our communities are in this together and we have to keep going.”

A spokesperson for the NLPG added: “Residents are concerned about the possible accumulation of wind farms in the area. We remain concerned with proposals to remove 900 acres of grade 1 and 2 farmland for these developments.”

Meanwhile, Mike Greene, a member of the NLPG, says that a survey by biologists suggests the French Farm development would adversely affect wildlife in the area, including bats, birds and water voles.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/13/fears-over-accumulation-of-wind-farms/