HERE WE GO AGAIN?
WORRIED villagers living in the shadow of a proposed five-turbine wind farm near Dunton Bassett say they are determined to fight the plans.
Broadview Energy was this week granted permission to build a 60m temporary data-gathering mast on land at Low Spinney Farm – and plans for the scheme are likely to be submitted in the winter.
The scheme is the latest in a rash of such plans.
Already in the pipeline is an 11-turbine scheme at Swinford, a single turbine at North Kilworth, and plans for several large wind farms in the Harborough area.
The Broadview Energy site is between the villages of Dunton Bassett, Ashby Magna and Gilmorton and already a campaign group comprising residents of all three has been set up to oppose the plans.
Barry Mearns, of Peveril Road, Ashby Magna, is the chairman of Against Wind Farm at Low Spinney (AWFALS).
He said people living in all three villages are concerned about the effect the wind farm would have on their lives.
“It isn’t just the noise and the visual impact of the turbines, although they are obvious things people are worried about, it is also the effect on house prices,” he said.
“People are worried and angry but we are also remaining positive.”
AWFALS has been holding weekly meetings at Ashby Magna village hall to formulate their opposition.
Rosita Page, Ashby Magna resident and county councillor for the area, said: “People need to be aware that the next step could be a full application and I hope before then they have made up their minds on where they stand.”
Lisa Ross, a spokesman for Broadview Energy, said: “We aim to erect the meteorological mast in the next four or six weeks. Until we have the figures we won’t know how many turbines there will be or their layout, but we do not expect it to be more than five. We will be holding a public consultation once we have the data.”
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of Harborough District Council planners, where the initial mast was given the go-ahead, Ashby Magna district councillor Peter Fuchs said it was an important step so the council could make an informed decision.
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Weather for Harborough
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
