Vandals cut the wires on 230ft test for turbine near Queniborough
Vandals brought a 230ft wind -testing mast in Leicestershire crashing to the ground after cutting a series of guy wires that held it in place.
Police are investigating the attack on the mast put up by ScottishPower Renewables on land by Ridgemere Lane, near Queniborough.
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The wind-mast following the attack of vandalism
The mast had been put up by the power company to test wind levels as part of its proposal to place four large turbines in the area.
It is believed bolt-cutters were used to sever the four guy wires which anchored the mast in place, causing it to snap in half and collapse.
ScottishPower Renewables said the equipment had been damaged beyond repair and replacing it would cost £25,000.
Campaign group ScottishPower Renewables Out (Sprout), who are fighting the proposed wind farm, said it was not responsible for the attack and condemned those responsible.
Chair of Sprout and Queniborough villager Mike Jones said: "This has nothing to do with the campaign against the wind farm.
"This does not help our fight against the wind farm and I do not condone these actions in any way.
"The test mast could actually give us the evidence to prove that it is not the right place for a wind farm."
Campaigner John Tinning said the attack raised "serious concerns" about security, claiming the attack was "entirely predictable".
He said: "In our submissions both to Charnwood Borough Council Plans Committee and to the planning inspector we did point out that there was no security built into this project whatsoever.
"This was seriously asking for trouble." Vandals are thought to have struck sometime between 9am on Monday, October 5, and 11am the following day, a week after it was installed.
A spokesman for ScottishPower Renewables said that following a risk assessment it had not felt security was an issue.
He added: "The incident has been reported to police and they are investigating.
"We will be looking to put a replacement mast up as soon as possible. This will not affect our testing."
ScottishPower Renewables unveiled plans for the wind farm in 2008.
It has generated fierce opposition from villagers who claimed it would spoil the rural character of the area.
Campaigners have fought against every step of the proposal and, in February, an application for a test mast to be erected was rejected. It was later allowed after Scottish Renewables appealed against the decision. A Government inspector ordered the mast should be dismantled after three years.
A police spokesman said: "Police were called following the report of criminal damage to the mast. It happened sometime between 9am on Monday October 5 and 11am on Tuesday October 6, 2009 when wires connected to the mast were cut, causing a considerable amount of damage."
Anyone with any information about this incident should contact police on 0116 222 2222.
20 Comments
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by D, England
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 2:13PM
“I think what everyone is forgetting here is that Scot Power had permsision for the mast to be there and it was criminally damaged. That is an illegal act and needs to be investigated and punished. People cannot be allowed to take the law into their own hands, we live in a democratic state and Scot Power are playing by the rules so why whould others be applauded for breaking them.
Renewable energy is needed now, and whilst wind is not 100% of the answer it is the most effective we have at the moment. nuclear is years off being safe and built, wave is again still in development and solar does not produce the same volume as wind. Wind is a good start.
People have to realise that energy has to be produced, but it has to be produced via a renewable source.”
by Rich, Leicester
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 2:42PM
“Such as the myth that all Daily Mail readers are middle aged NIMBY's?”
by j, leic
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 2:25PM
“Rich, I haven't got a problem with stereotypes, just ones that are built on lies and myths.........”
by Chris, Lincolnshire
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 2:24PM
“Recent developments in Singapore suggest, it is now possible to convert CO2 to Methanol. If so, (subject to cost comparrisons), presumably Coal fired powerstations will no longer require Carbon Storage but could produce Methanol instead? As well as the large amounts of energy they produce currantly, at any wind speed.”
by Rich, Leicester
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 1:23PM
“j, leic - I think you have just confused yourself!
One one hand you say you dislike Daily Mail readers...... on the other hand you sare saying that you read this, and the Daily Mail website..... which makes you a Daily Mail reader yourself!!!!!!
Maybe you should look up the word 'stereotype' beacuse thats whats your doing........
Intrestingly enough, you are quick to jump down the faces of anyone that stereotypes people such as travellers, yet you stereotype Daily Mail readers yourself........”
by j, leic
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 12:13PM
“freedomfighter, would you also support direct action against the vehicles of people who drive 4x4s? Or the building of new power stations? I'm guessing not.”
by j, leic
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 12:09PM
“Rich, why is it ironic that I am posting on a Daily Mail owned newspaper's website when I dislike Daily Mail readers? I also post on the Daily Mail website itself; these people cannot be allowed to get away with their horrific hate and bile filled rantings without being challenged.
If I only sat in a room filled with fellow Guardian reading liberals what on earth would that achieve (apart from annoying me; they are far too forgiving and wet)? You have a bizarre view on debate if you believe that it is best achieved with people who share the same morals and values as you. But then most of your views are, err, "out there"!!”
by Mickey, Anstey
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 12:08PM
“I have to agree with both Karin and Chris, these things are not ugly compared with electricity pylons that sit outside my flat, i know what i would sooner look at! We need all types of renewable energy, most of which has already been mentioned below... so stop the vandalism and lets move forward....”
by freedomfighter, earth
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 11:46AM
“hurrah for direct action! our masters have lorded it over us for far too long and it is about time the people started standing up for their rights. i hope they knock it down again and again until scots power accept that they have to have local agreement to build these things.”
by Chris, Leicester
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 11:34AM
“People who moan about renewable energy are also the same ones moaning about energy prices and most certainly about petrol. We (the UK) have are no longer self sufficient with our energy sources and are reliant on importing mulitple energy sources from abroad where more likely than not we are held to ransom.
Turbines are not ghastly in fact I believe they add to the scenery - and lets face it tourists dont flock to Queniborough for its scenery. Also turbines are a more sustainable and reliable source of energy than solar panels (we are in England and not Spain people!!).
The people who did this are set in the dark ages and i would also assume that they are energy consumers who have no idea how this country sources and supplies energy to the population...”