A turbine haven
FENLAND Council is mentioned in dispatches by the Government s Sustainable Development Commission for its active support of sustainable energy initiatives. The council has been praised by the commission for the way it supported the development of the re
FENLAND Council is 'mentioned in dispatches' by the Government's Sustainable Development Commission for its active support of sustainable energy initiatives.
The council has been praised by the commission for the way it supported the development of the region's first wind turbine project as part of a scheme to erect 10 industrial units at Longhill Road in March.
Indeed, it was a senior council planning officer who suggested the site may be suitable for such a wind turbine scheme. The planning application triggered a two-year planning process involving a series of objections from the Home Office on behalf of HM Prison Whitemoor, situated 330m from the wind turbine site.
The turbine went into operation last year and original fears that noise would disturb inmates proved not to be justified.
The council's supportive approach to the development of sustainable energy with wind turbines has seen something of a growth industry across Fenland. Now, there are eight operational turbines at Coldham, with a further nine being given planning permission at nearby Stag's Holt.
A further seven are now operating at Glassmoor near Whittlesey and planning permission has been granted for three more at Ransonmoor, Wimblington. When all these turbines are in operation, there is enough capacity to provide almost all the domestic electricity for Wisbech, March, Chatteris and Whittlesey.
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Councillor Kit Owen, portfolio holder responsible for energy efficiency, said: "We have the ideal climatic and geographical conditions to make ample use of wind turbine technology. We have been determined to lead the field in this technology and we have been keen to attract developers keen to erect turbines.
"The early concerns about the noise of wind turbines is no longer an issue with the new generation technology. We continue to look favourably on technologies that are going to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gases.
