Firm unveils new Hempnall turbine plans

A anti-turbine group in south Norfolk has been reactivated after a renewable energy firm announced fresh plans for a development at Hempnall.

Enertrag UK's proposals for seven wind masts near the village were unanimously refused by district councillors in 2008 and rejected by a planning inspector 13 months ago following an appeal.

Now the Diss-based green energy company has announced plans for four 126m-high turbines at the same site, off Bussey's Loke in Hempnall.

The firm will be staging a consultation event in the village later this month to show off the revised project for Streetwood Wind Farm, which they say would generate enough renewable energy to power 4,413 homes.

Enertrag, which also has plans for three 140m-high turbines at Tivetshall St Mary, in south Norfolk, says that the new scheme comes after a planning inspector said there was capacity for some form of wind energy at the Hempnall site.

But campaigners from Showt (Stop Hempnall's Onshore Wind Turbines) yesterday said the south Norfolk countryside was not the place for 'industrial' developments.

Hilary Battye, spokesman, said it was 'inappropriate' to have large-scale masts within 750m of people's homes. 'We anticipate the level of objection to be maintained and we are disappointed that Enertrag have chosen to submit a new proposal because it will take us into year five of this proposal for a wind farm at Hempnall,' she said.

A pre-planning exhibition will be held at Hempnall Village Hall on January 21, from 3pm to 8pm, for people to view the proposals, speak to the project team, and air their views. A new website has also been created by Enertrag.

Project manager Chris Bailey added that the four turbine development could generate �16,000 a year for the local community.

For more information, visit www.streetwoodwindfarm.com.