Protestors against Huntingdonshire wind farm stage protest to mark inquiry opening
Stop Common Barn Wind Farm protest outside the planning appeal hearing at Jubilee Park, Huntingdon - Credit: Archant
Protestors battling plans for a wind farm in Huntingdonshire made their views clear on the first day of an inquiry into the proposals.
Banner-waving members of the Stop Common Barn Wind Farm campaign group were at Huntingdon Football Club’s Jubilee Park yesterday (Tuesday) for the start of the appeal hearing, which could last up to eight days.
A government planning inspector will hear evidence from all sides on TCI Renewables’ application for three 125-metre turbines for north west of Church Farm, Rectory Lane, Southoe.
The application was taken out of Huntingdonshire District Council’s hands after it failed to make a decision within eight weeks.
When HDC’s development management panel met in December it unanimously agreed that it would have rejected the proposals. Road safety, the impact of noise on nearby homes, harm to “archaeological assets” and the turbines’ proximity to rights of way would have been its grounds for refusal. HDC will present its conclusions at the hearing.
Campaigners have warned of serious traffic problems on the A1 should the scheme be approved. They argue that accessing the site close to Bell Lane, near the Southoe bends, would be dangerous.
Southoe, Midloe, Grafham, Perry, Great Staughton, Buckden and Hail Weston parish councils all recommended refusing the plans.
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The hearing is due to be heard in two stages and will be adjourned on Friday (March 15), continuing on Tuesday, March 26 and ending by Thursday, March 28. The planning inspector’s decision will be published at a later date.
