"Wind farms are a major threat to the Vale" says Duchess
Tuesday, 3.30pm - THE Dowager Duchess of Rutland branded wind farm plans "a major threat to the Vale of Belvoir" at an inquiry today.
Tuesday, 3.30pm - THE Dowager Duchess of Rutland branded wind farm plans "a major threat to the Vale of Belvoir" at an inquiry today.The plans for eight turbines at Palmer's Hollow in Bottesford, each standing 328 feet high, were rejected by Melton Borough Council last year but the decision was appealed by applicants Ridgewind Limited after it successfully argued the time limit for a decision had passed.
The inquiry began on Tuesday morning at the Victory Commemoration Hall in Bottesford, led by Government inspector Christopher Frost.
The Dowager Duchess of Rutland spoke on behalf of Belvoir Locals Oppose Windfarms (BLOT) to argue against the wind farm proposals.
She said: "Thirty years ago there was another major threat to the Vale of Belvoir - a massive coal mining project which was called in by the Secretary of State.
"With the help of a wonderful group of activists it was defeated . The Vale of Belvoir was referred to as the lungs of the East Midlands. That is why it is so precious.
"Within a few years the mines were closed down and I can't help thinking the same will happen to the windfarm industry but by then there may not be the beautiful view."
Representatives from BLOT, Melton Borough Council and Ridgewind Limited will each call sources over the course of the inquiry, which is expected to last until February 19.
Each of the three sides made their opening statements today.
BLOT has employed the service of John Campbell QC, who was keen to draw comparisons between the Palmer's Hollow proposal and the planned wind farm at Thackson's Well, which was rejected in 2008.
He said: "Why are we being required to spend yet more money, and engage yet more resources, when on November 17 2008, a mere 14 months ago, an inspector comprehensively rejected an application for 10 turbines, the nearest of which would have been sited a mere 500 metres from the nearest Palmer's Hollow turbine."
He added: "Is there anyone in this room who can deny, with hand on heart, that given the height of the proposed turbines...harm to the historic qualities of the landscape would result in such significant and unacceptable magnitude as to outweigh the electricity generation benefits."
The Peter Goatley, arguing the case for Melton Mowbray Borough Council, agreed the proposals would damage the surrounding environment.
He said: "The appellant (Ridgeway) has also sought to ignore the English Heritage advice given in its scoping response and in published guidance.
"The result is to under estimate the impact of the proposed scheme upon the important historic assets within the Vale of Belvoir.
"These assets include not only Belvoir Castle and its parkland but also Belton Park, Harlaxton Manor, Staunton Hall and St Mary's Church."
Marcus Trinick, acting on behalf of Ridgewind, argued the region is on track to miss its renewable energy targets "handsomely".
He said: "There is clearly a need for a considerable number of renewable energy schemes, including onshore wind farms, if the new and challenging generation requirement is to be met.
"The proposed Palmer's Hollow wind farm comes forward to this inquiry not just in the general context of, but as a direct response to this challenge."
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Weather for Grantham
Wednesday 10 March 2010
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 1 C - 7 C
Wind Speed: 10 Knots
Wind direction: North
