Christopher Pincher Calls on Ministers for Wind Farm Rule Changes

Christopher Pincher MP has this week personally submitted letters from over 100 Clifton Campville residents calling for a rethink on the rules around wind farm development.

The call comes in the wake of a decision by German developer Pro Wind to re-apply to build two turbines on land near the historic village.

Residents have long campaigned against the proposals and last year Pro Wind withdrew its application to build four turbines in the area.  But now they have returned with an application to erect two turbines, both over 100 meters tall.  Other local authorities in North Warwickshire, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire are also facing applications for wind farm development.

The letter is signed by 157 residents to Dr Greg Clarke MP, the Planning Minister, at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Mr. Pincher commented, “Local residents are concerned about proposals for wind farms in our local communities.  I along with local residents have been clear in opposing these proposals.  They are not only damaging to our environment but they are also uneconomical and produce hardly any power.

“These letters ask the Minister to take into consideration villagers’ concerns and award them more power so they have more say in what is built in their local communities.  That is the spirit of localism.

“I am pleased to learn from a letter I received from the Minister that the planning regulation has been strengthened.  He stated that the: “The Framework also makes clear our unswerving commitment to conserving the countryside, whether or not it is nationally designated, and promotes the redevelopment of previously developed ‘Brownfield’ land”

“I welcome this commitment and I encourage local planners to take this into account.”

Recently in an article in the Sunday Times the Energy Minister, Greg Barker, suggested that the government’s energy policy will shift the balance away from wind farms to other sources of energy: “Far from wanting thousands more, actually for most of the wind we need… they are either being built, being developed or in planning.  The notion that there’s some new wave of wind [farms] is somewhat exaggerated.

“There have been some installations in insensitive or unsuitable locations – too close to houses, or in an area of national beauty.”

Mr Pincher concluded, “I am pleased the Government is taking into account the economics of wind farms and is looking to redress the balance in favour of energy sources which are clean, predictable and do not scar the countryside.  If we are over-reliant on wind farms, we may not have enough energy when the wind fails to blow – so it is exactly right to consider other sources of power.

“I shall be bringing the Energy Minister’s comments to the attention of Lichfield District Council – and Pro Wind.”