Turbulent time for wind farm

ENGLISH NATURE and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have joined forces to try and block the development of a wind farm in Kent.

The proposed development of 26 turbines on the Romney Marsh is the largest wind turbine power station yet proposed in lowland England and has been the subject of constant objection.

Both English Nature and the RSPB believe the developer – NPower Renewables – has failed to demonstrate that the development will not impact local bird populations.

“Conservation efforts in the last 11 years have created a very rich feeding and roosting area for more than 20,000 waterfowl and birds of prey,” said Chris Corrigan, regional director for the RSPB.

“The wind farm could cancel out all the years of progress made by local landowners and threaten an internationally important population of birds.”

The local planning authority Shepway District Council has voted twice unanimously against the proposal, as have sixteen local parish councils.

But despite these constant objections the developer, NPower Renewables, has persisted with its application.

Now, because of Shepway District Council‘s objection, the matter has been referred to a Public Inquiry due to commence on Tue (Oct 12).

A formal objection to the proposal has also been submitted by the local MP and Conservative leader Michael Howard.

He highlighted the importance of appropriate siting of wind turbines by launching The Conservative Energy Policy at Romney Marsh in July this year.