It’s turbo charged
23 February 2007
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| One of the wind turbines now under construction at Doddington near March |
TENS of thousands of pounds are being poured into Fenland's economy following a council decision which has made the district the wind turbine capital of Cambridgeshire.
Thirty four wind turbines have either been built, are under construction, or are awaiting formal consent.
Attached to every application has been cash payments to either improve roads, aid community projects, research climate change, or to give a boost to education.
The extent of the growth of wind power is highlighted in a response from Fenland District Council to a Freedom of Information request.
The response details the seven applications which have come before Fenland Council in recent years and the conditions attached to each.
Earlier this month Fenland promised a decision shortly on setting up the community group that will distribute £30,000 to community projects in the Whittlesey and Ramsey area following completion of turbines at Glassmoor Bank.
Tim Mills, Fenland's director of development, also said he was putting together an initiative that could see some of the money handed over for "environment education" used to provide a teacher to go into local schools to raise awareness of green issues.
Council leader Geoff Harper said he felt Fenland had "probably done enough for now for the Green lobby" having allowed turbines sufficient for the supply of electricity to the district's four market towns.
The full list of turbines, and the agreements in place, for the turbines that have been built are :
1: Whittlesey:
Eight x 67 metre high wind turbines south east of Yewtree Farm, Glassmoor Bank, Whittlesey.
Money Paid:
- Initial payment of £30,000- to be spent to the order of a designated committee.
- Climate Change Strategy of £5,000
Money Due:
- £10,000 per annum for Environment Education due in July 2007.
2: Coldham
Eight x 67 metre high wind turbines at Coldham Hall Farm, Coldham Estate.
Money Paid:
- £15,000 Community Fund Contribution.
- £15,000 Public Access Improvements in the vicinity of the turbines.
- £5,000 Climate Change Strategy.
- £6,200 per annum Environmental Education
3: March
One x 67 metre high wind turbine, at Foundry Way, Longhill Road, together with 10 industrial units.
Money paid:
- £4,000 Public Access Improvements.
Money due:
- £1,000 Climate Change Strategy
- £1,000 per annum Environmental Education
- £20,000 March Transport
Those turbines that are not yet built but for which consent has been given are:
1: Coldham
Nine x 67 metre high turbines at Franks Farm, Coldham Bank Road, Stags Holt, Coldham.
Money Paid:
- £30,000 for Access Improvements in the vicinity of the turbines.
- £5,000 Climate Change
Money Due:
- £7,000 per annum for Environmental Education to be paid within 14 days of commencement.
2: Doddington
Three x 67 metre high turbines north of Ransonmoor Farm Benwick Road, Doddington
Money Paid:
- £11,250 Initial Payment
- £1,875 Climate Change Strategy
Money Due:
- £3,750 per annum Environmental Education. After development has been commercially operating for 12 months to pay first contribution.
The following decisions, says Fenland Council, are pending.
1: Doddington
Two x 67 metre high turbines north of Ransonmoor Farm, Benwick Road, Doddington.
- Granted subject to a section 106 agreement (to be finalised)
2: Whittlesey
Three x 80 metre high turbines at McCains Foods GB Limited, Funthams Lane, Whittlesey.
- Granted subjected to a section 106 agreement (to be finalised)
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