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StopCWF
- 'Stop Cambridge Wind Farm' (StopCWF) is an action group of local
residents, formed in May 2004, who oppose 'Your Energy's' plans
to build a wind farm, consisting of 16 (100 metre high) wind turbines,
on the ridge between Boxworth and Conington next to the A14 (
Map
)
and in close proximity to many villages.
Number
of members to date - 1,650
Pro
Wind Energy
- StopCWF
are supportive of wind energy's role in developing more sustainable
sources of energy and in reducing CO2 emissions.
- StopCWF
supports offshore wind farms because, they:
- are
more efficient, larger turbines can be built in greater numbers.
- take
advantage of the stronger and consistent offshore winds.
- avoid
the negative impact of onshore wind farms on people and the
surrounding countryside.
- StopCWF
opposes onshore wind farms because:
- they
generate relatively small amounts of power.
- they
create noise and hence health issues amongst local residents.
- they
impact intrusively onto the local landscape.
- they
have no significant economic benefit to the local economy.
- the
reduction in CO2 emissions is completely outweighed by the
negative impacts they have on local people and countryside.
- the
rapid increase in planning applications for onshore wind farms
is being driven by the profit motive of the developers.
Cambridge
Wind Farm
- Each
proposed site for an onshore wind farm has its own set of issues
which need to be researched thoroughly.
- There
are 7 villages within 2.5kms of the proposed site and almost 20,000
people live in the villages consulted by the planners as being
potentially affected.
- StopCWF
are opposed to this site because:
- it
will represent the industrialisation of a predominantly rural
area.
- local
residents will be adversely affected by various types of noise
during the day and at night.
-
the proposed development is completely out of scale with the
surrounding gently rolling countryside. It will be seen from
up to 20kms away.
-
it will be very close to the A14 (nearest turbine 250m away)
and will create distraction to drivers and hence increase accidents
on an already. unacceptably lethal stretch of road.
-
it will pose a threat to aircraft safety as it degrades the
effectiveness of the radar at Cambridge Airport.
-
it contravenes the local structure plan produced by South Cambridgeshire
District Council.
-
it will reduce the amenity value and hence property prices for
residents in the area.
Activity
- What we do?
- StopCWF
will actively campaign to ensure this planning application and
appeal is
rejected by:
- Mobilising
local support, by ensuring that all residents are aware of
the issues impacting on them by holding public meetings and
leaflet distribution in the villages.
- Employing
independent specialists in the areas of sound and landscape
impact to obtain accurate data and expertise.
- Seeking
the support of local businesses.
- Undertaking
comprehensive research of all relevant issues.
- Producing
an exhaustive, authoritative rebuttal of the planning
application and appeal.
What
can you do ?
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