Campaign group updates villagers on its bid to block wind turbine plans

More than 50 concerned villagers in Aldreth turned out last Friday to hear the first of several presentations hosted by the Stop Berry Fen Wind Farm group.

The presentations are being held to outline details of the campaign’s progress so far and to look at the next step in the group’s bid to have a planning application for three 125m-tall wind turbines thrown out.

Speakers Ian Bayes and group co-chairman, Steve Cheetham, gave an outline of the group’s main objections to the proposed turbines, planned for Berry Fen, highlighting issues such as sound and shadow flicker, impact upon local wildlife and also local residents’ social mobility.

Plans are being formulated by renewable energy firm REG Windpower, which has turbines dotted around the country.

Guest speaker, Mike Barnard, a veteran of more than 40 anti-wind farm campaigns, spoke to residents about a number of issues surrounding the wind farm industry, including the suitability of the site at Berry Fen for a wind farm.

Attendees were then give the opportunity to quiz members of the committee about issues ranging from the effectiveness of solar and other alternative energy forms and the impact of REG’s proposed £30,000 community fund.

Jon Sanford, co-chair of the campaign group, said: “The committee were delighted to see so many people from the community attend the first of our spring meetings and to bring people up to speed with the progress of the campaign so far.

“We are facing a large public company who have vast financial resources at their disposal and it is important the community turn out to show their support for the campaign which they did on Friday evening.”

Further updates are planned for both Aldreth and Haddenham, with the next meeting scheduled for May 16 at 7.30pm in the Arkenstall Centre, Haddenham.