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Turbine campaign is backed by Minister
Credit: Melton Times | 29 April 2014 | www.meltontimes.co.uk ~~
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A cabinet minister has backed a campaign opposing plans to build a wind turbine at Upper Broughton.
MP Ken Clarke attended an information day about the scheme, which would be sited in his Rushcliffe constituency.
He examined detailed proposals for the 220-foot structure, met members of local action groups who fight to block plans for wind turbines and chatted to borough and county councillors.
After the meeting, Mr Clarke told the Melton Times: “It would be a huge structure in a very prominent place in one of the most beautiful stretches of countryside in the area.
“It would dominate the Vale of Belvoir and I don’t believe this is quite the place for a giant steel windmill.”
Mr Clarke said he would not be writing to Rushcliffe Borough Council planners, who will consider the application because he said it was a matter for them to decide.
He said he understood it was a difficult decision because the council had to adhere to planning guidelines but felt it should be refused when the impact on the environment outweighed any benefits from the renewable energy produced.
Mr Clarke added: “A lot of planning arguments do turn on NIMBYism but I think the residents of Upper Broughton, Nether Broughton and Hickling can be excused these accusations. We are talking about a huge vista affecting large areas of both Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.”
Sunday’s meeting, in Upper Broughton village hall, was organised by campaign group Voices Against Turbines.
Other local action groups represented were SMART and reVOLT.
Information about the plan was displayed along with statistics about wind turbines.
Jane Fraser, of Voices Against Turbines, said: “The turbine site is right on top of the Belvoir ridge and it will be visible right across the Vale.
“We are talking about something which will be six times the height of the parish church at Upper Broughton.”
The group is campaigning for 500 letters of objection to be sent to Rushcliffe Council and it is raising money to fly a blimp at the site to illustrate the impact of the scheme.
Applicants, the Diocese of Southwell, said it had a duty to manage its assets efficiently to help pay for its clergy.
It said the plan also fitted its environmentally-friendly ethos and that 497 homes would be powered every year for 20 years as a result of it.
Diocesan chief executive Nigel Spraggins said he recognised local concerns and that extensive community consultation had been carried out.
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