Wind turbine plan generates 'unprecedented' protest
Wednesday, 3rd April 2013.
Fifteen residents from Nosterfield End, where Burton End meets the bypass, descended on Haverhill Town Council’s planning committee meeting last night to protest about a proposal for a 250ft wind turbine in a field opposite their homes.
Town clerk described the attendance as ‘unprecedented in the last 12 months’ as residents used the public forum to speak against the plan and ask members to support them.
The town council can comment on all planning applications in Haverhill to the planning authority, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which will make the final decision.
The plan comes from James Sills, who yesterday was successful with a similar application at Chilton Street between Hundon and Clare.
However, members heard the Nosterfield End application has been opposed by National Air Traffic Safety on behalf of Stansted Airport. It would interfere with air traffic control radar.
Residents described the plan variously as ‘a blot on the landscape’ and ‘a hideous eyesore for a minuscule and unpredictable amount of energy’.
Town councillors added their objections on grounds of visual impact on listed buildings, noise pollution and the NATS objection.
Clive Bowes, who said he had lived at Hazel Stub for 26 years, described the area as very special, because it was the setting for three listed buildings.
These were uncommon in Haverhill and every effort should be made to protect them, he said.
The turbine would only be 600m away and create a serious negative impact on a historic community dating back to the 1500s.
Residents were worried this might lead to other turbines there, and they had concerns about noise and about disruption during the construction process.
They also complained they had only been notified by St Edmundsbury the previous week, which gave them little time to put together a campaign.
Town councillors flagged up the delay to the borough council, which had registered the application at the beginning of March.
Town clerk described the attendance as ‘unprecedented in the last 12 months’ as residents used the public forum to speak against the plan and ask members to support them.
The town council can comment on all planning applications in Haverhill to the planning authority, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which will make the final decision.
The plan comes from James Sills, who yesterday was successful with a similar application at Chilton Street between Hundon and Clare.
However, members heard the Nosterfield End application has been opposed by National Air Traffic Safety on behalf of Stansted Airport. It would interfere with air traffic control radar.
Residents described the plan variously as ‘a blot on the landscape’ and ‘a hideous eyesore for a minuscule and unpredictable amount of energy’.
Town councillors added their objections on grounds of visual impact on listed buildings, noise pollution and the NATS objection.
Clive Bowes, who said he had lived at Hazel Stub for 26 years, described the area as very special, because it was the setting for three listed buildings.
These were uncommon in Haverhill and every effort should be made to protect them, he said.
The turbine would only be 600m away and create a serious negative impact on a historic community dating back to the 1500s.
Residents were worried this might lead to other turbines there, and they had concerns about noise and about disruption during the construction process.
They also complained they had only been notified by St Edmundsbury the previous week, which gave them little time to put together a campaign.
Town councillors flagged up the delay to the borough council, which had registered the application at the beginning of March.
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