Hilary Battey Geoff Moulton (centre) and Chris Laxton of SHOWT stand under the balloon showing how tall the proposed wind turbines would be. Photograph Simon Parker
Mustard video: Blimp over Norfolk village to highlight turbine issue
By Rebecca Gough
Thursday, March 14, 2013
3:11 PM
This blimp could be seen for miles around a south Norfolk village yesterday when an opposition group demonstrated the height of proposed new wind turbines.
Showt (Stop Hempnall’s Onshore Wind Turbines) spokesman Hilary Battye said the 126-metre high blimp, flown off Bussey’s Loke in Hempnall, coincided with a site visit by a heritage expert commissioned by the group.
“We fly it for information purposes and notify all those who might be interested, like South Norfolk Council and English Heritage, as well as our own experts, so everyone gets a feel for the height of the turbines and the impact on the landscape,” she said. “The proximity to the village also becomes very apparent.
“It does get quite a reaction. People don’t know what to expect but even now people say ‘my goodness’, and that’s people who know the size.”
Plans have been submitted by TCI Renewables to site four 126-metre-high turbines on land at the edge of the village.
A previous application on the site was turned down in 2009 by the Planning Inspectorate, which raised concerns of a potential impact on bats, the landscape, visual impact and noise.
Since taking over the project from the original developer, Enertrag UK, applicant TCI Renewables, which believes the site could provide enough renewable energy for 5,200 homes, said it has taken into account comments made and adjusted the plans in an bid to reduce the impact of the turbines.
This has proved contentious with considerable opposition mounting in response to the plans, although a support group, Power for the Future, has also been established.
A parish poll will also be held on Monday by Hempnall Parish Council. This will be at the Mill Centre between 4pm and 9pm and people will be asked to vote yes or no to the question: Do you support the planning application for the erection of four wind turbines in Hempnall?
The council has also hired two specialist consultants to help it establish a “balanced and informed” view before considering the application.
This will be used to prepare a report to be submitted to South Norfolk Council’s planning committee while the information obtained by Showt will be used to help formulate a response to the plans.
Other Environment Articles
- Green lifestyle event set to return to Felbrigg Hall
- Scouting for Girls
- TV botanist opens new bird hide at Alderwood Lodges
- Meet the Swallows - a new daily soap opera running at Wroxham Barns
- Photo gallery: Eureka! New sub-tropical enclosure opens at Banham Zoo
- Joint Core Strategy hearing adjourned because councils failed to supply necessary paperwork
- Interactive map: Broadland’s growth ‘trajectories’ questioned by inspector at Joint Core Strategy hearing
- Parks report celebrates the Norfolk Broads contribution to the economy
- Who will pay for the infrastructure in Greater Norwich’s growth ambitions?
- Photo gallery: Act now or risk losing our wealth of Norfolk and Suffolk wildlife, experts warn
- Public inquiry under way to examine Growth Triangle housing plans for Norwich
- Kelling Heath Holiday Park is best caravan park in the country
- Joint Core Strategy hearing could hold the key to Norwich’s growth ambitions
- Rallying call for north Norfolk’s green schemes
- South Walsham landowner in battle over broad
Most Read News Stories See all
Terror returns to Britain after man butchered in London street
Terrorism returned to the streets of London today as two suspected Muslim fanatics butchered a man in broad daylight in the name of “Allah”.
- Police launch probe after motorist tweets she knocked cyclist off bike in Norwich
- Fakenham Gateway Children’s Centre closes suddenly
- Police appeal for help to find missing Norwich woman
- Three arrests after brawl at Sikh temple in Norwich
- Norwich cyclist speaks about moment he was hit by motorist who tweeted she had knocked someone off his bike
ADVERTISEMENT
6 comments
"Every town and village should have wind turbines". May I ask precisely why? Something to look at, something to marvel that it turns.....sometimes? If you are planning a means of electricity generation, prepare to be sadly disappointed. If you are a landowner and want to rob the entire UK Utility bill paying population, then get one right now, it's their only known use!
Report this comment
windup
Saturday, March 16, 2013
More hot air from the protestors. Every village and town should have wind turbines.
Report this comment
blue tractor
Friday, March 15, 2013
Well done Geoff and team, hopefully these odious sods from TCIR will repeat their removal from Hempnall as they have done from Diss. Good Luck!
Report this comment
Windless
Friday, March 15, 2013
As 'Potential' says most people are in favour, surveys by renewablesUK and others say around 8 out of 10 are in favour of wind-energy.. it is a fine line as to who you listen to or as me would just be a visitor.. I still say by 50.0001% of my opinion is they can be certainly more effective offshore... but if you really want one you can have one on-shore. They are about £1m each cheaper to install on-shore.
Report this comment
Dave01
Thursday, March 14, 2013
This village is my home too and I fail to see what the outcry is about. Didn't notice the blimp yesterday and would not expect the turbines to be much more noticeable. I believe these structures are rather elegant and, in a century or two, will be as loved as windmills.
Report this comment
petential@aol.com
Thursday, March 14, 2013
I do like the Mustard videos; short and to the point. Can we all have a go at making one? As a pro-renewables person I think it is a very very fine balance when it comes to onshore turbines. Is it worth disrupting a pleasant landscape when it is only 4 wind turbines; when there is allocatable space for 10000 offshore? On balance I have to say no to small numbers on-shore in Norfolk and Suffolk. It may not be logical yet I do not think on balance they are worth the intrusion, unless of course it is an industrial site and no one will be too concerned. Maybe TCI would like to pay for 4 offshore?
Report this comment
Dave01
Thursday, March 14, 2013