Farm turbine angers campaigners

A WIND turbine could appear on farm land near Monks Kirby, causing further concern for residents opposed to a planned wind farm at nearby Churchover and Cotesbach.

Rugby Borough Council has received a planning application for a single 48.5m high turbine on Cloudesley Farm.

Opponents to wind farms have claimed it will spoil the surrounding countryside and accused the farm owner of generating money at the expense of the public.

Withybrook resident David Dearden said: “I feel this type of development would violate such a totally unspoilt area of countryside which has been untouched by the hand of industry in recent centuries.

“The figures in the application would suggest the output for this scale of turbine would be massively greater than the needs of any local business individually. This is investment, not reducing business costs.”

Lorne Smith, co-ordinator of Against Subsidised Windfarms Around Rugby (ASWAR), said: “The primary purpose of turbines is to generate money for speculators at the expense of the public.

“The real objection to any wind turbine is the economic scam they all represent, irrespective as to their size or location.

“Nevertheless, present planning law only allows 'not-in-my-back-yard' type objections, and these will vary with size and location of the wind turbine.”

ASWAR is leading objections to renewable energy company RES' planned four-turbine Swift Wind Farm.

The owner of Cloudesley Farm declined to comment.

Share This

Regional news »