October 16, 2014
England

Turbine campaigners form Stop Stretham Wind Farm Group

Ely News | October 15, 2014 | www.ely-news.co.uk

A campaign group has been formed to fight plans to erect two wind turbines near Ely.

The Stop Stretham Wind Farm Group [Facebook link] has been set up after plans for two 102m high turbines to be sited in Cambridge Road, Stretham, were resurrected.

Farmer Chris Attle re-submitted his proposals for Redhill Farm to East Cambridgeshire District Council just weeks after he withdrew them.

They were withdrawn as he was having problems connecting the proposed turbines to the National Grid, however those issues have now been resolved.

The turbines, which would be 102m high to the tip of their blade, have proved controversial among local residents to date.

Now residents, councillors and business owners in the Stretham area have joined forces to form the campaign group.

Cllr Bill Hunt, who is a county and district member for Stretham, and who is advising the group, said: “In my view, the benefits of any wind turbine application are far lower than the disadvantages they bring.

“These proposed turbines are one and a half times the height of the tower of Ely Cathedral. That just is not acceptable.

“As a Fenman, I am a great lover of the big, open skies of Cambridgeshire and these turbines would certainly ruin the views. It’s not fair on the thousands of people who live in the area.”

Among the objectors are Frederick and Barbara Benge, who live in Cambridge Road. They said: “The A10 is the main route to Ely; a very busy road. You would see these masts for miles from every direction.

“They are not only an eyesore, but it appears they do not even generate enough electricity to make them viable. Not only would they be very visual, there is the noise to consider, flashing when the sun shines on them, and possible effects for migraine and epilepsy sufferers.”

The applicants are proposing to offer five per cent of the turbines’ annual income to Stretham Parish Council.

There are also plans to erect three 130m high wind turbines not far from the site at Berry Fen – land in between the villages of Haddenham and Aldreth. The Stop Berry Fen Wind Farm campaign group is fighting those proposals.

The Stop Stretham Wind Farm Group’s next meeting is being held on Monday, October 20 at the Red Lion public house in Stretham at 7.30pm.

To have your say on the proposals, attend the meeting or visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/10/16/turbine-campaigners-form-stop-stretham-wind-farm-group/