June 4, 2014
England

Over 95% of local residents say no to npower and to wind farm

Hunts Post | Wednesday, June 4, 2014 | www.huntspost.co.uk

Over 95% of those polled on exit from a recent wind farm exhibition said that they were against the development of a wind farm by npower on land surrounding Bythorn in Cambridgeshire. On Friday 8th and Saturday 9th October, npower renewables invited residents of Molesworth, Bythorn, Keyston, Titchmarsh and Brington, villages most affected by a proposed wind farm to learn more about their plans. However, the Stop Molesworth Wind Farm Action Group also staged an adjacent exhibition and two protests, giving a very clear message to npower that the site was unsuitable and that their proposal was therefore unacceptable. The proposed wind farm site, which embraces the village of Bythorn on three sides, will be just 650 metres from the nearest homes. The action group claims that this is too close, and is calling on Huntingdon District Council to adopt the 2 km buffer zone recommend in many areas to prevent wind turbines threatening those living in their shadow. There is growing evidence that wind turbines are causing deterioration in the health of nearby residents, and this adds to the many concerns of villagers. Zoë Woods, who lives in Bythorn, and is on the action group committee said: “We were delighted to receive so much interest and so much support for our protest. Many visitors to our exhibition were horrified by the size of the proposed development. A balloon, which flew at the height of the wind turbines, really brought the message home to many people who had not realised they would be affected by this development. Some left the exhibitions in tears.” Local MP Mr Shailesh Vara also gave the campaign his full support. “I am not at all convinced that this is the right location for such a project and I am against it. “I have many concerns. As well as the visual impact, which is considerable, there are other issues such as the environmental effects, preservation of wildlife and levels of noise. Given the clay soil, there are also huge concerns about drainage. I will be taking this matter up later this week with the Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council” For more information on the Stop Molesworth Wind Farm campaign, see: www.stopmolesworthwindfarm.org.uk

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/04/over-95-of-local-residents-say-no-to-npower-and-to-wind-farm/