Dignitaries taken on turbine tour

LOCAL MPs and councillors have been taken on a tour of a Linton site earmarked for a controversial wind farm.

Campaigners, the Stop Linton Wind Farm Action Group, organised the "fact-finding mission" for Uttlesford MP, Sir Alan Haselhurst, and South Cambridgeshire MP, James Paice.

Also present were leader of Uttlesford District Council, Jim Ketteridge and district councillor for The Chesterfords, Julie Redfern.

The group's aim was to provide relevant information regarding plans - submitted by renewable energy firm, Enertrag - to erect eight, 125m high turbines to an area to the south-west of the village.

Chairman of SLWF, Bill Thomas, alongside local resident James Hamilton, guided the party through issues including potential noise problems, health and safety and the visual impact.

Mr Thomas said: "Emphasis was put on the adverse effect the wind farm would have on the character of the surrounding landscape and the lives of those living, working and travelling through it.

"I'm a big believer that we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We need to reduce our CO2 emissions, so we need the right form of renewable energy for Britain.

"That doesn't necessarily mean that every apparently green application is either green or is appropriate."

Sir Alan and Mr Paice were shown photo-montages of the turbines and were taken to a point overlooking the proposed site.

Mr Paice said: "They (the turbines) are of grave concern to literally thousands of people who live in the area."

Sir Alan Haselhurst said: "You've only got to look at the countryside around to realise what a blot on the landscape these turbines will be, quite apart from issues of health, quite apart from whether or not onshore wind farms can actually make any significant contribution to our energy needs.