Campaigners present 65,000-word document opposing Kimbolton wind farm 

Anti-wind farm protestors have presented a 65,000-word document to planners in a bid to stop a four-turbine development being built near Kimbolton.

Broadview Energy wants Huntingdonshire District Council to allow for a wind farm to be constructed between Stow Longa and Kimbolton.

If permission is granted, Broadview says the turbines would measure up to 125metres and could be in operation late next year. They say the development would generate enough power to meet the annual needs of 5,000 homes.

But campaigners believe the development would have a huge detrimental impact on the historical buildings in the area and the nearby Kimbolton School and Overhills Primary School.

In opposition to the proposal, the Stop Bicton Wind Farm action group has presented a rebuttal document to the district council at its offices in Huntingdon. The 65,000-word document outlines the action group’s objections and what they say are “flaws” in Broadview’s environmental and noise assessments.

Richard Murphy, chairman of the action group, said: “What we have said at a local level is an emphatic no to this proposal and this documents outlines our reasons for this.

“We are representing the views of some 500 people who are fearful of the impact this development would have on the area. Public opinion is strongly opposed to this development.”

He said some of the biggest concerns were the impact on listed buildings including St Andrew’s Church and Kimbolton School.

Mr Murphy says Broadview also failed to give due regard to the district council’s policy document on wind farm development that states company’s should “avoid locating [even a single turbine] along valley crests where they will be out of scale”.

The action group is not alone in objecting to the plans, with Tilbrook, Stow Longa, Catworth and Kimbolton parish councils all recommending refusal.

Kimbolton School has also objected to the plans for fear of the impact on historical buildings and noise and sunlight flicker that could cause health problems for pupils. Charles Paull, chairman of the governors said: “The harm far outweighs any public benefit.

“The very real concern over the proximity of the turbines to the heritage assets together with the perceived health effects on those for whom we have a responsibility leads us to object to this planning application.”

A statement issued by Broadview Energy said the company had followed planning guidelines.

It read: “Over the last two years a detailed environmental impact assessment has been carried out by numerous independent consultants, the scope of which was agreed by Huntingdonshire District Council. The findings are contained in an environmental statement which accompanies our planning application. This is a comprehensive document that exhaustively assesses the impact of our proposed windfarm, including, amongst other things, the potential effects on listed buildings and other cultural heritage assets. It is available for review on our dedicated project website, www.bictonwindfarm.co.uk, or in the council’s offices. The submitted documentation is now being reviewed by the council and numerous statutory consultees such as Natural England and English Heritage. We are confident that it will stand up to their scrutiny and demonstrate that this is a good project that complies with all relevant planning guidance at national, regional and local levels.”

HDC planners are expected to make a decision on the application by the end of November.

INFORMATION: To find out more, visit www.stopbictonwindfarm.org.uk or www.bictonwindfarm.org.uk