Clacton, St Osyth: Wind farm inquiry gets underway (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Clacton, St Osyth: Wind farm inquiry gets underway

10:27am Thursday 30th July 2009

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A CONTROVERSIAL windfarm would see turbines taller than the tower of Big Ben loom over nearby residents’ homes, an inquiry has heard.

The inquiry into the creation of a windfarm between Clacton and St Osyth started yesterday.

N-Power Renewables wants to build five 125m-high turbines at Earls Hall Farm. Tendring Council’s planning committee voted unanimously against the plan last year, but the company appealed against the decision.

A five-day inquiry was launched by planning inspector Paul Griffith at Weeley Council chambers.

Mike Barnard, of campaign group South Tendring Acting to Protect our Local Environment (STAPLE) said the windfarm would “tower” over its surroundings. He told the inquiry: “This wind farm, if built, would touch almost every aspect of the lives of local people."

But N-Power barrister David Hardy said the scheme’s impact would be outweighed by its benefits. “The proposed development would result in change to the local landscape,” he said. “Change is not always unacceptable and care has been taken to assess what the level of change will be. “ The scheme would generate enough electricity to power between 5,500 and 6,000 homes each year.

Tendring Council’s legal expert, David Altaras, said the development was too close to homes for turbines “larger than Big Ben’s tower and just smaller than the London Eye”.

North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin urged the inspector to respect the original decision of local councillors who voted 17-0 against the proposals.

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