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Windfarmers 'declare war on countryside'
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Green-power company Enertrag UK has been accused of declaring war on the Norfolk countryside after revealing proposals for a second windfarm.
It is looking to build six wind turbines at New Road, Tivetshall St Mary, and has submitted a “scoping opinion” to South Norfolk Council, asking what information it would need to include in an environmental impact assessment.
The village is within 10 miles of Hempnall where Enertrag’s proposals to develop seven 130m-high turbines to supply renewable energy for the National Grid have sparked a public outcry.
And it is next to Pulham and Dickleburgh, where SLP Energy’s plans for a seven-turbine windfarm have also met widespread opposition.
South Norfolk councillor Michael Windridge, who is leading the campaign against the Hempnall development, said: “Enertrag has declared a full-scale war on the Norfolk landscape. Another controversial proposal from this company to dump large-scale industrial structures in the heart of the south Norfolk countryside will undermine further the renewable- energy cause.”
Mr Windridge claimed wind turbines were inefficient and produced a “derisory amount of electricity”, adding: “Wind-company profits are subsidised from the money which we pay out in our electricity bills. It is quite scandalous.”
“I hope Enertrag’s latest move will provoke a genuine debate amongst Norfolk people about the real value that we attach to our rural landscape, and whether we care about protecting it. The challenge for those of us who object to onshore wind turbines in inappropriate areas is to find ways of supporting renewable- energy schemes which don’t degrade the countryside.”
David Linley, Enertrag’s projects manager, confirmed that they intended developing windfarms at both south Norfolk sites and a planning application for the Hempnall scheme would be submitted within the next four weeks.
Of Mr Windridge’s allegation that the firm had declared war on the local landscape, he said: “I think he has been reading too many novels.”
He explained that about 300 acres of farmland would be required for the Tivetshall scheme, and said the company would be holding public exhibitions – as part of the planning process – so local residents can find out more about the project and give their views.
Enertrag recently lost two public appeals over the refusal of planning consent for wind turbines at Guestwick in Norfolk and Ellands Farm, Northants.
Mr Linley said they will be challenging the Guestwick decision in the high court, and submitting revised plans for Ellands Farm.
By Celia Wigg
15 February 2008
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