Not so much a farm – more a forest
BUOYED UP by Government incentives to produce electricity from windpower, firms have been queuing up to submit plans for windfarms in the Harborough and Lutterworth areas.
Three companies have shown interest in three plots in Husbands Bosworth, North Kilworth and on the former airfield between Harborough, Lubenham and Gartree.
Energy 4 All, which has been assessing the former airfield site, will be staging three public consultations next month and hopes to submit plans to install four wind turbines, which will be no higher than 125 metres, by the end of the year.
John Malone, development manager for Energy 4 All, said: “The aim of the project is to get the whole community involved by creating a democratic co-operative.
“We want to be able to offer shares to the public so they can receive the benefits from the project too.”
The first public meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 4, in Harborough Theatre lounge between 1pm and 9pm.
The second is at Foxton in the Robert Monk Hall on Thursday, June 5, between 1pm and 9pm and the third is in Lubenham on Saturday, June 11, in the village hall from 1pm to 9pm.
Harborough district councillor for Foxton Mike Ward said: “My personal opinion is that I have reservations about the development of windfarms because I believe they are totally unsustainable.
“What energy they do produce is such a small amount that you’d still need a power station to make up the difference.”
Jorvik Renewables, the company looking into a site in Husbands Bosworth, said there is no definite decision over the site yet.
Ian Bratton, director of the company, said: “We’re currently investigating the feasibility of a windfarm in that area.
We have not submitted any formal application yet as we are still going through different consultations.
“We consider a lot of sites and the site in Husbands Bosworth is a good one but we have to consult 40 or so bodies before any decisions are made.
“The feasibility stage usually takes up to six months so we’ll know more then.”
The third potential wind turbine plan is different from the two mentioned above as it is not a company seeking the site but a family-run farm has contracted the company, Wind Direct, to get a single turbine installed on their land.The family approached the company after deciding they would like to be more diverse as well as to take advantage of the environmental benefits.
Sparrow Lodge Farm, in Pincet Lane, North Kilworth, has been passed down through three generations.
Family member, William Miles, said: “We approached the company and spoke to them about the idea. We’re paying for it and employing the company to sort it out for us. A single turbine is easy to escape from and won’t be damaging to the landscape.”
Laura Carse, Wind Direct development manager, said: “We originally considered a site close to the Naseby battlefield but decided that the cultural heritage of the site could be compromised. We have to consider a whole range of aspects before one is chosen, such as the environmental impact and the historical culture of sites.”
The Mail asked Harborough District Council to clarify the planning rules with regard to wind farms.
A spokesman said: “There are no government rules restricting these types of planning applications and the normal planning system applies.
“There is also no set limit on how many turbines an area can have and, as such, each scheme is judged on its own merits, although as part of the assessment, the cumulative impact can also be assessed.”
For more information about the Harborough, Lubenham and Gartree site and public meetings visit www.energy4all.co.uk or call 0845 373 3612.
These proposals are the latest in a spate of windfarms planned for the district.
In 2006 the Irish company Airtricity showed interest in two sites in Kibworth and the Langtons. However, the plans to build a plot from Burton Overy down to Kibworth Harcourt as well as a second running south from Carlton Curlieu to the outskirts of Tur Langton, were shelved.
Some of the issues that arose included site access and building over footpaths and bridleways.
In December last year, Eon and Kelmarsh Hall Estate proposed plans to install seven turbines south of the A14 near Haselbech and Naseby Battlefield. No decision has yet been made.
Two further plans have recently been outlined for Lutterworth.
Renewable energy company Nuon UK’s plans for 11 turbines, 125m high, in Swinford, saw hundreds protest earlier this month.
The second potential plan, by Broadview Energy, is for the Low Spinney fields between Gilmorton and Ashby Magna. The company has said it hopes to submit its application by late 2008 or early 2009.
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Weather for Harborough
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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