Opposition mounts to wind farm plan

By Jenni Dixon

OPPOSITION to a plan for a second wind farm in north Suffolk is hotting up with the formation of a new protest group.

Waveney Windfarm Watch (WWW) has been set up to oppose a proposal by Enertrag UK for six 120metre-high wind turbines on the former Flixton airfield.

Its six-strong committee has already received support from members of Villagers Against Inappropriate Turbine Sitings (VAITS), the group campaigning against a plan for a wind farm on the former Metfield airfield in St James South Elmham.

Chris Staines, spokesman for WWW, said: "We're getting together interested people to form an action group and getting some plans of communication between us and local councillors and those with previous experience of the issue who will give us valuable help and assistance.

"We will be attending open council meetings and asking questions and taking things as they come. We will be building our case so if a planning application goes in, we will have an argument."

VAITS member, Forbes Bramble, attended the meeting at which WWW was established and said: "I shared our knowledge and information and we will assist them in any way we can."

A report from Enertrag UK, the British arm of a German company, said because Flixton was in a valley, villagers would have only an obscured view of the turbines and they would be for enough from homes to avoid any adverse effects of noise or vibration.

But they would be seen from St Peter's Hall and nearby farms and roads and the company said it would be talking to English Nature on ensuring the interests of wildlife in the area were protected.

The report, by consultants Posford Haskoning, added: "Discussions with landowners who have reacted positively to the proposals are ongoing. Once the wind farm is operational, agriculture will continue."

Anyone interested in joining Waveney Windfarm Watch or wanting more information should contact Mr Staines on 01986 781267.

jenni.dixon@eadt.co.uk