December 9, 2013
England

Campaigners challenge Hemingford Grey chicken farm wind turbine plan

Written by JULIAN MAKEY | News & Crier | 09 December 2013 | www.cambridge-news.co.uk

Campaigners opposing new plans to build a wind turbine on a chicken farm at Hemingford Grey say the structure could be a distraction to drivers on the nearby A14.

They also believe the 138ft turbine was a potential hazard because of the proximity of 12 LPG tanks on the site.

The turbine is on the farm which has just won planning permission for its chicken sheds which were built nearly 60ft longer than those which had originally been approved for the site.

Campaigner Esther Harrod said: “This turbine is to service a huge, privately-owned poultry farm.

Surely the planning balance to be considered by Huntingdonshire District Council must be the potential risk of driver distraction on the A14-Galley Hill intersection, combined with the unique and complex junctions outside the farm entrance.

“In addition there are 12 above ground LPG tanks sited close to the proposed turbine and the A14 St Ives slip road.”

She said it was the third application to build a wind turbine at the site and there were worries about the safety implications if the turbine should collapse or shed components, both on the A14 and the gas tanks.

Ms Harrod said there were also concerns that the site might want to put up a second turbine and of the potential effect on bats.

The application has just gone before planners at the district council.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/09/campaigners-challenge-hemingford-grey-chicken-farm-wind-turbine-plan/