Plans for two new wind turbines in Stretham submitted - but will they prove as controversial as those in nearby Haddenham?
How the new turbines in Stretham coud look - Credit: Archant
A Stretham farmer has applied for planning permission to erect two 75m high wind turbines on his land.
Chris Attle has applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council for permission to erect the two turbines on Red Hill Farm, in Cambridge Road, an arable and beef farm.
The blades of the two turbines will stretch to some 54m in diameter and, at maximum capacity, the turbines will be capable of generating enough power for hundreds of homes.
The application comes just a week after REG Windpower entered plans to build three turbines in nearby Haddenham – provoking an angry backlash from some residents.
Campaigners have argued that the visual impact and shadow flicker from turbines planned for Berry Fen would be overwhelming but Chris Attle argued that the Stretham turbines would not present a problem
A report submitted to the district council said: “The tower height of 75 meters is strongly recommended by the turbine manufacturers in this location.
“While the tower will be very visible in the flat landscape it would be equally visible were the tower to be slightly smaller.
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“As there will only be two turbines and the land around the proposed site is all arable we do not envisage there will be any significant impact on the immediate landscape, and any slight impact that might occur would be outweighed by the benefits of the proposal.”
As part of the plans, the applicant has pledged to donate five per cent of the income generated by the turbines to Stretham and Wilburton parish councils, on an annual basis.
A public consultation was carried out in Stretham in May but the organisers said it was “poorly attended” with only 36 residents coming to view the plans.
