Wind farm opponents lose battle to stop test mast in Leicestershire
Campaigners have lost the latest stage of their battle against proposals to build a wind farm in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside.
A Government inspector has overturned Charnwood Borough Council's refusal of planning permission for a test mast in Queniborough.
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John Tinning, left, Pam Jones and Mike Jones in The Ridgemere, Queniborough, where a wind farm test mast is to be erected
Villagers are trying to stop energy firm Scottish Power Renewables putting four large turbines on land by Ridgemere Lane, on the edge of the village.
The inspector's decision means the firm can put up a 230ft-tall, 6.5in-wide mast on the site to find out if it is windy enough to justify the project.
Councillors had agreed with members of Scottish Power Renewable Out (Sprout) group that the structure would ruin the appearance of an attractive rural area and rejected the application.
However, inspector Jeremy Eagles said: "Although tall, it would be a relatively lightweight structure whose visual impact would be limited, while its colour would generally reflect that of a typical British sky.
"The proposal would not be an unduly obtrusive feature within the landscape, particularly from a distance, because its slender form would be difficult to see."
The mast is likely to go up within four weeks, but Mr Eagles ordered it should be dismantled within three years.
He said his ruling was on the mast alone and was no reflection on any future wind turbine applications at the site.
Sprout spokesman and Queniborough villager Mike Jones said: "We are disappointed with the inspector's decision.
"We thought we had seen this off when we persuaded the council to turn down the mast. Without a mast, there would be no wind farm.
"We could challenge this decision in the High Court but that would be very expensive.
"We may choose to save ourselves for the fight against the imminent wind farm application.
"Any structure such as this will ruin the appearance of an unspoilt and beautiful area.
"In many ways, we are looking forward to the fight. It has united the village.
"We have learned a lot over the past seven months about the planning system and running a campaign. We will put that experience to good use."
Fellow campaigner John Tinning said: "We are not against the idea of generating power from wind but this is not the right place.
"We feel Queniborough is a special place and the council agrees with us.
"The inspector is obviously independent but there seems to be a lot of pressure from the Government to create wind turbines."
A spokesman for Scottish Power Renewables said: "We are pleased with the decision of the appeal and are aiming to erect the mast within the next month.
"The project team is working towards finalising and submitting the wind farm planning application in the next six to eight weeks."
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by Jonathan Clark, Lubenham Market Harborough
Thursday, October 22 2009, 10:52AM
“Same problem with the proposed Gartree Wind Farm in south Leicestershire. Plenty of protesters. I live in the village next door to Gartree and I am happy with the plans. I like wind farms.
There is a Yes To Gartree Wind Farm group on Facebook. May be worthwhile someone local to Quenniborough starting a yes group. There is also a No To Gartree Wind Farm group on Facebook which has been going for over a year and has fewer members than the yes group even though the yes group has only been going for two weeks. The No group has no significant content!
There are a lot of people who live locally to proposed wind farms who do not object and several who are actively in favour.
CO2 does not respect borders. This is a Global problem and everyone in the World has a right to their say.
Jonathan.”
by CROXTONBOY, Sth Croxton
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 8:54AM
“Wow So the mast went up last week and now has been dismantled. I could not believe how tall it was and yet I understand it was only 230ft high rather than the 410ft proposed for the turbines. These turbines will dominate and blight the landscape for miles around - and this is one Charnwood's areas of outstanding natural beauty - truly the world has gone mad.”
by Rob, Leicester
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:27PM
“How sad, people saying they don't mind the idea of generating power from wind but (because its close to my house) this is not the right place. Get a grip and think of the future generations - Selfish people!!”
by Ross, Leicester
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 2:58PM
“"John there are lots of alternatives using renewal energy,. Solar power, hydro electricity. Wind power only produces a very very small proportion of the energy that is produced."
And we should be using all of them in combination to provide the energy we need to continue our pampered lifestyles. Our ancestors had to make do with natural resources and natural power for the many years before we had fossil fuels. We will have to again when they run out.”
by Eric Goodyer, Unity House Loughborough
Wednesday, September 02 2009, 2:51PM
“I know this will lose me votes, but we have a duty to preserve our environment for our children. I might add that I like the look of a wind turbine on a hill, and would welcome one in my village. We cannot continue relying on imported fossil fuels from unstable regions of the world, and we should not build nuclear. As well as promoting wind farms we should be campaigning against the environmentally disastrous policy to build a CHP incinerator in Shepshed. I helped build the South East London CHP plant 25 years ago because it was the only option to land-fill - but it is now dated technology. As a County Councilor will Mike Preston campaign to stop the incinerator, and instead call for the expansion of the anaerobic digestion plant which is already generating electricity from household waste? Time for the Tories to act green instead of just talking about it!”