November 19, 2014
England

Councillors blow out plans for wind turbines at March site

Sarah Cliss | Cambs Times | November 19, 2014 | www.cambstimes.co.uk

Plans to build two 85 metre high wind turbines at a March landfill site have been rejected by councillors.

Fenland District Council’s Planning Committee went with an officer’s recommendation to refuse Waste Recycling Group’s application for the turbines at March Landfill Site, Hundred Road.

Officers said “the impact of the scheme, in terms of landscape character, visual and residential amenity, would be so significant as to outweigh the positive benefits”.

The proposal, which was first submitted in February 2011 but was withdrawn, would also harm heritage assets such as St Wendreda’s Church, according to officers.

Waste Recycling Group, who generate energy from waste, said Hundred Road was a “potentially suitable” location for a wind energy project due to the large areas of land available and the relatively high wind speeds at the site.

But the proposal raised concerns among neighbouring residents – 16 letters of objection were submitted highlighting issues including the visual impact of the turbines.

Objectors claimed the site is unsuitable since it is too close to residential areas and there are already too many turbines.

The proposal was opposed by March Town Council, the Cambridgeshire Bat Group and the Ministry Of Defence, who said the turbines would interfere with the radar at RAF Marham.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/19/councillors-blow-out-plans-for-wind-turbines-at-march-site/