Wind Turbine For Witchford Gets The Go-Ahead

PLANS for a 12-metre wind turbine in Witchford have been given the go-ahead following a meeting of the district council's planning committee last week.

The plans, which brought demands for a clear council policy for turbines from both councillors and residents, were finally passed by the committee on Wednesday afternoon (May 6) following months of rejections and resubmissions.

Malcolm Sutton, who intends to build the turbine, expressed his relief at the decision: "I got a phone call from the council on the Thursday informing me of the decision and I was very pleased with the result he said,

"I'm trying to go as green as I can and we have put a lot time and effort into researching wind turbines so I'm glad the right decision came through."

Mr Sutton was forced to move the turbine 100 feet further back in his garden in Barton Close, following the council's rejection of his initial plans, submitted back in December. The rejection was the second such occasion the Witchford resident's plans had been thrown out after a rejection from the parish council early last year.

Mr Sutton was happy to make the necessary changes to the plans however, and is hoping that building work can start in earnest now that the planning saga is over: "I am waiting for written permission from the council and once that is in I will hire myself a digger and begin work on the foundations," he said.

An online poll carried out by the Ely Standard revealed that more than 77 per cent of people were in favour of turbines and, following the meeting, the council announced its intentions to review its policy on renewable energy, with a view to introducing measures to help applications like Mr Sutton's gain approval.

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