MARSHLAND: Developers finally submit plans for 19 wind turbines near Wisbech

EXCLUSUVE By JOHN ELWORTHY DEVELOPERS have finally submitted their plans to build 19 wind turbines near Wisbech. Marshland Wind Farm Ltd is asking the government s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) for permission to build t

EXCLUSIVE

By JOHN ELWORTHY

DEVELOPERS have finally submitted their plans to build 19 wind turbines near Wisbech.

Marshland Wind Farm Ltd is asking the government's Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) for permission to build the turbines on land adjoining Marshland St James.

Marshland Wind Farm Ltd spokesman Bruce Pittingale said: "We are delighted that we have now been able to submit our detailed application for planning consent to BERR.

"In association with the landowners the developer has tried to minimise the potential impact that this development could have on the surrounding villages and their residents.

"The proposed development will have little or no detrimental impact on the Marshland area and indeed will have a positive benefit in terms of the environment and the economic benefits its construction will bring to the area.

"During the consultation process we have consulted with over 80 organisations, none of which have put forward any significant objections."

The submission to BERR for formal planning consent follows a series of public exhibitions about the plan.

Protest group Fenland Landscape Against Turbines (FLAT) claims the turbines will blight house prices.

Today its chairman, Lyndon Mason, said: "It's been awareness campaign to date, now it moves on to become an objection to the planning application campaign."

A test mast put up to check wind speeds was destroyed by vandals and members of the consortium behind the wind farm claim their property has been vandalised.

One member, farmer Richard Herbert, drowned himself because he feared the community had been turned against him, an inquest into his death heard.