Inquiry into south Warwickshire wind farm plans

[dutchman]

A public inquiry into plans for a wind farm in Warwickshire is under way.



Broadview Energy Ltd wants to erect four wind turbines on land between Bishops Itchington, Gaydon and Knightcote.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council refused the application in February and said it "would be harmful" to the appearance of the landscape.

The inquiry, being held at Ettington Community Centre, is expected to last up to 10 days.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council turned down the original application on the grounds that the proposals would be harmful to the character and appearance of the landscape.

It also raised questions over aviation safety, the impact on some historic structures and the possible interference with microwave links.

Broadview's plans also include access tracks, hard standing, a control building, and a mast.

In 2011, the firm won an appeal to build a test mast for the proposed wind farm after it was twice turned down by Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

Graham Margetson, from the campaign group Felden Residents Against Wind Turbines, said: "All the parish councillors involved and the district council have rejected it [the wind farm] and now, of course, the decision is down to this particular inquiry.

"So it gives us considerable concern."

Olly Buck, from Broadview Energy, said it would do its best to convince the inspector that the "benefits of the proposal outweigh the impacts".