New group backs wind farm plan

By David Green

A CAMPAIGN group has been formed with the aim of countering what it claimed was “myth and misinformation” surrounding plans for a £20million wind farm.

The pro-wind power High Suffolk Renewable Energy Co-operative has been formed just two weeks before Saxon Windpower is expected to decide whether to submit a planning application for its proposed 10-turbine wind farm in St James South Elmham.

Co-operative spokeswoman, Rachel Kellett, claimed data that was incorrect or out-of-date had been distributed.

That had aroused fears of noise and vibration and other perceived nuisances from the proposed wind farm.

“It is important to get the facts into the public domain so people can make an informed choice. A lot of what is being put out is myth and a lot is misinformation,” said Ms Kellett.

All members of the new group were pro-renewable energy and most of them were in favour of the wind farm.

“I live in the neighbouring village, Metfield, not in St James, and I have been thinking whether I would want a wind farm in my own backyard. The conclusion I came to was that yes, I would,” said Ms Kellett.

A document challenging the “facts and figures” put forward by opponents of the project will be presented at meetings today and tomorrow in St James South Elmham and Metfield.

But Jane Bastow, from the anti-wind farm group Villagers Against Inappropriate Turbine Sitings, denied it had put out misinformation.

“We are also pro-renewable energy, but in the right place. We believe the cost of the proposed St James wind farm is too high in terms of the destruction of the countryside,” she said.

Bill Richmond, a director of Saxon Windpower, said the company felt “uncomfortable” with the way the wind power plan had divided the community in the St James South Elmham area.

A decision on whether to submit a planning application for the wind farm was expected within the next two weeks, he added.

david.green@eadt.co.uk