AN objection has been made against plans to extend the county's only windfarm.
East Northamptonshire Council’s planning committee was not expected to raise any objection to a £15m project to extend the number of wind turbines at Burton Wold Windfarm, in Burton Latimer, from 10 to 17 when it met last week.
But the committee d
ecided to oppose the scheme because it felt it did not have enough information about the impact it would have on the district and it was concerned the extra turbines could distract motorists.
Committee member Andy Mercer said: “We objected to the plans because the artist’s impressions we had were not from the point of view of our main settlements.
“In addition, we felt some of the new wind turbines would be very close to the A14, and although the Highways Agency hasn’t objected to the plans, I personally thought the situation would be very dangerous.
“If they are right in the line of drivers’ vision, sooner or later someone is going to be distracted and there will be a crash.”
The windfarm operators believe the additional turbines, which would be up to 100 metres high, could provide electricity for a further 7,200 homes in the Kettering borough over a period of 25 years.
A final decision on the plans will be made by Kettering Council.
If the proposals are given the go-ahead construction could start in 18 months.
The full article contains 243 words and appears in Northants Evening Telegraph newspaper.
