August 18, 2015
England

Wind turbines plan whips up village objections

By Victoria West | Bedford Today | 18 August 2015 | www.bedfordtoday.co.uk

Plans for two wind turbines could put helicopter flights at risk and will ruin the village view, say objectors.

A planning application for wind turbines at The College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe has attracted 50 letters of objection from villagers – just one householder has written in support of the green scheme.

It has been recommended for refusal by a Bedford Borough Council planning officer and is due to be considered by the planning committee on Monday (August 24).

One village objector was concerned about ice dropping from the turbine rotors and causing injury.

The turbines – each 45 metres high – would have a 25 year life span and would make the horse site in Church Road carbon negative.

But Historic England has said the turbines will ruin the view of Grade I listed Church of St Mary the Virgin.

The religious building, deemed to be of exceptional interest, dates from the 12th to the 15th century. It is situated on a rising piece of land with a steepled tower, commanding views on approaches to the village.

A report written for the planning committee by officer Jonathan Warner said: “Their [the turbines’] height, unfamiliar form and motion would make them particularly noticeable within the setting of the church, competing for and eroding the historic dominance of the steepled church within the landscape.”

An objection has also been lodged by Bedford Aerodrome who say the turbines could put landing helicopters at risk.

“Although the applicant has made every effort to overcome this objection, it has not been demonstrated that the turbines will not result in a danger to existing or future aviation activities and will not restrict any future aviation activities,” said Mr Warner.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/08/18/wind-turbines-plan-whips-up-village-objections/