Marshland wind farm scheme still on
A turbine for Tesco in Lynn has been thrown out by councillors, but the bid for a controversial wind farm for Marshland goes on.
The proposal for the Tesco store in Lynn's Hardwick Road was recommended for approval by planning officers but rejected by councillors with one saying it posed issues of public safety.
Meanwhile, protests over the Marshland wind farm show no signs of abating as developers push the scheme forward, despite the controversy driving a farmer to suicide.
Marshland Wind Farm has released the image above of what the wind farm could look like and is now preparing to reveal the details of its proposal for land at Marshland St James for the first time, with a formal planning application to follow.
The news has been greeted with repeats of claims the plan threatens the landscape and house prices.
Consultant representative of Marshland Wind Farms, Ian Robinson, said: "I think we have a responsibility to make sure that the wider world knows the truth about the development of wind turbines and the benefits.
"We are pleased that things are moving forward. They would have moved forward a lot more quickly if we had not had to fight off the sort of mischief, criminal damage, harassment and lots more morbid and terrible things that have happened."
In May, one of the consortium of farmers providing land for the scheme, father-of-three Richard Herbert (47) drowned himself in Middle Level drain close to his home in St John's Fen End, Middle Drove.
An inquest into his death heard of the uprising of feeling in the surrounding area against the wind farm, which had included a test mast being chopped down, and ruled Mr Herbert had committed suicide in a state of anxiety and depression over the scheme.
Mr Robinson said a string of planned consultation events would be the first chance for people to see for themselves exactly what is proposed and make comments to help shape the plan.
Marshland Wind Farm has also revealed villages surrounding the site will be in line for a payout of around 1/2 million for schemes of community benefit if it goes ahead as planned, under a legal planning duty.
Protest group Fenland Landscape Against Turbines (FLAT), which has repeatedly distanced itself from any criminal or extreme actions over the plan, has maintained its objections to the proposal.
Chairman Lyndon Mason claimed that money is an empty gesture which will be worth next-to-nothing once it is split between all entitled.
He said: "What they are offering is a bribe of one or two pounds per person per year to destroy their countryside, house prices and quality of life."
Public consultation events will take place 4pm to 9pm at Outwell Village Hall on Monday, Emneth Village Hall, Tuesday, and Marshland St James Village Hall next Friday.
From Monday, March 17, the plans will be on display in the foyer of R.J.Herbert, Middle Drove, Marshland St James.
It had been hoped the 108ft-high Tesco structure, capable of producing electricity equivalent to the demands of around 80 homes a year, would be generating power by the end of the year.
But the scheme was rejected when West Norfolk Council's development control board met on Monday.
The decision has been welcomed by Lynn's Bridge Street Residents' Group, which feared the turbine could have set a precedent for similar developments in the town.
Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has plans for its own wind turbine.
The residents' group called for Tesco to conduct an evaluation of alternative options such as reduced electricity use, degradable packaging and use of solar panels.
A number of residents attended Monday's meeting and Cllr David Markinson, borough council member for Mershe Land ward, spoke of his objection to the plans.
He said: "My reason was that I felt that there were issues of public safety in relation to the proposal to erect a wind turbine in that particular location."
A spokesman for Tesco told the Lynn News: "While we are disappointed with the decision there may be other ways in which we can look at reducing our carbon footprint at the store and others in the area.
"We are looking at all energy- saving options and as a business we are committed to taking a lead on the threat posed by climate change."
What do you think, were councillors right to reject the Tesco turbine? And should the Marshland and hospital schemes go the same way? Write to: The editor, Lynn News, Limes House, Purfleet Street, Lynn, PE30 1HL, or drop an email to malcolm. powell@lynnnews.co.uk
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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