News Archive Page
Dated 02/04/05

Planners Say No To Wind Farm

Ahead of the decisive committee meeting next Wednesday to determine the wind farm application the SCDC planners have dealt Your Energy a major blow. Their report recommends refusal not for just one reason but on a staggering six seperate grounds. The arguments we have been putting forward for the last 7 months have been listened to and indeed vindicated as the planners have put forward the main planks of our case as grounds for refusal. They state:

Landscape - The scheme would dominate and adversely affect the landscape character of the area. It conflicts with Structure Plan 2003 Policies P7/4 and P7/7, South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 Policies EN1 and EN44 and national advice in PPS1, PPS7 and PPS22.

Landscape - The scheme would adversely affect the historic landscape pattern by introducing intrusive and standardised industrial forms which will visually connect Boxworth and Conington. It fails to comply with Structure Plan 2003 Policies P1/2, P7/6 and P7/7, South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2004 Policies EN4, EN30 and EN44 and national advice in PPS1, PPS7 and PPG15.

Radar - The scheme would harm the effective operation of the radar installation at Cambridge City Airport and therefore be detrimental to the safety of aircraft in the area.

A14 - The scheme would increase the risk to highway safety on the A14.

Noise - The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the operation of the wind turbines would not be likely to give rise to unacceptable noise levels to residents.

Wildlife - The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the operation of the wind turbines would protect or enhance wildlife species and habitat. It fails to comply with Structure Plan Policies P1/2, P7/1 and P7/2 and South Cambridgeshire Local Plan Policies EN12 and EN13

Given the power of these reasons for refusal and their cumulative strength then we are confident that the District Councillors will follow the advice of their planners and reject this application.

Mass Walk Saturday -
April 2nd

On April 2nd we will be holding a mass walk along the ridge where the wind farm is proposed. There will be two groups walking one from Conington and the other from Boxworth, meeting on the ridge. If you would like to join the protest walk please meet at The White Swan, Conington or the Village Hall Boxworth. Choose whichever is most convenient and the walks will leave at 12:30pm. It is only a short distance over good paths.

We need as many people as possible to attend to demonstrate the depth of public opposition to this scheme, so please put the date in your diary and tell as many of your friends and family as possible.

Planning Meeting Wednesday -
April 6th

Your Energy's planning application will be determined at a committee meeting on 6th April at the South Cambridgeshire District Council's head office in Cambourne. Again the more people who can attend the better. It is a working day, but if you can be there then please make the effort for the final time. The Wind Farm application will be the first item on the agenda at 10:00am. The local media will cover the meeting so it would be great to have a good turnout.