Public meeting angered at wind farm plans

A lively debate last night about plans to install massive wind turbines in the heart of the Mease Valley…

The village hall at Clifton Campville near Tamworth was absolutely packed to the rafters.

I’m not sure what the capacity of that building is but we must have been on the limit with over 120 people wanting their say. The idea was to raise the profile of the proposals rather than discuss them in great detail but, as it was, the issue was examined from top to bottom.

There was genuine scepticism over the merit, both financial viability wise and the practicalies of construction and access, of the plan to build four 400ft commercial wind turbines on the outskirts of Haunton, a picturesque village between Clifton and Harlaston.

But it was the local impact on the environment, people and community which was the focus. Many were also concerned that the very limited public consultation when the wind test mast was installed on the same site earlier this year would be repeated.

I have assurances from Lichfield DC, the planning authority for this, that consultation will be much wider but whatever happens I intend to back that up with reminders from me to local homes in the wider area.

Prowind, the developers from Germany, have also written to me following the publicity we’ve generated confirming they too will be writing to 1600 homes highlighting the plans and informing people of an exhibition they will be holding in Haunton on the afternoon of 3rd December.

So things are hotting up and registrations to my website for e-mail updates on this issue are just approaching the 200 mark… so interest, and concern, is rife as you might expect.

Public comments on this are on the main wind turbine post here. You can read other views and comment yourself here.