South Warwickshire campaigners ‘encouraged’ by new wind farm rules

The Government has announced that planning guidance in England is being changed to ensure that local opposition to onshore wind farms can override national energy targets - but there will also be a five-fold rise in benefits paid by developers to communities hosting the farms.

Earlier this year, Stratford District Council turned down an application by Broadview Energy to build a five-turbine wind farm on land near Knightcote and Bishops Itchington - but the firm has appealed the decision.

Speaking this week, John Bolton, of Feldon Residents And Wind farm Turbines (FRAWT) - which was formed to campaign against Broadview’s proposal, said: “Our campaign is a classic case of what this new policy is referring to.

“We understand that the argument to preserve special landscapes and sites of historic interest is going to weigh heavier. Our beloved beacon tower at Burton Dassett should fit that criteria.

“We also understand that there will have to be more thorough public consultations and involvement with people in the area. The developer in this case has failed on that area as well.

“Broadview would argue that it has ticked the boxes, but that’s not the point as far as we are concerned.”

But he added: “The fact that the Government is planning to increase the financial benefits to communities hosting wind farms is is an extremely divisive way of going about things.

“There will be people who would prefer to take the money. It’s quite difficult to work out what we will actually see come out of the planning policy.

“We are encouraged but ever vigilant.”

Broadview’s appeal will be heard at a hearing in Ettington on on September 10.