Huntingdonshire: Wind Farm Decision
16 September 2013, 06:00
A decision will be made tonight, on whether a wind farm, that'll power more than 5,000 homes, will be built on a former WWII airfield.
Huntingdon District Council is to decide whether or not to grant permission for the revised "Bicton" Wind Farm at their planning meeting tonight at 7.00 pm.
This is the second time that Broadview Energy Ltd have submitted a planning application for a wind farm on the former WWII airfield above the Cambridgeshire village of Kimbolton.
Their first application for four 125m high turbines was previously rejected.
Broadview's 2013 planning application is for three turbines, also at 125m high, on the same site.
Amy from the Stop Bicton Windfarm Action Group told Heart, "To date, HDC have received 385 letter objecting to the new wind farm scheme with just 9 letters in favour. Seven parish councils, English Heritage and East Northants District Council have also objected to the new scheme."
Broadview Energy, who want to build the windfarm, say, "With almost a quarter of electricity generating capacity due to close this decade, the UK electricity sector is facing a serious challenge in the coming years to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure in place to keep the lights on.
"In addition, as a country we are committed to tackling climate change by reducing our carbon emissions. Appropriately sited renewable energy projects are therefore encouraged by Government and the regulatory framework it has put in place, as they provide much needed generating capacity and reduce emissions.
"In refusing a previous application for four wind turbines at this site in 2012, a planning inspector identified very specific concerns relating to the locations of two of the four proposed turbines. One of these turbines has now been removed and the other relocated.
"It is our view that in doing so we have appropriately addressed the inspector's concerns and that this is now a proposal which is compliant with local and national planning policy."