17 October, 2007

Wind Farm Plans Are Revealed

A Company which builds wind farms all over Europe is considering erecting one on farmland in East Northamptonshire. Volkswind is in the early stages of a scheme to build seven new wind turbines on land off Station Road, Ringstead.

The company has so far consulted a number of groups about its proposals and will use their feedback to draw up more detailed plans which will go out to public consultation before being submitted to East Northamptonshire Council.

Iain Taylor, a senior planner with Daly International which is acting on behalf of Volkswind, said: "This is one of the schemes Volkswind is looking at in this country at the moment.

"This scheme is at the extremely early stages, it is still a work in progress and is subject to change.

"We're aware that there are two streams of thought when it comes to wind farms and Volkswind is really keen to listen to what people have to say."

Bodies which were consulted include the British Horse Society, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Northamptonshire Ramblers' Association.

However, none of the groups contacted so far has responded to the plans.

Cllr Peter MacGovern, who is one of the members who represents Ringstead on East Northamptonshire Council, said: "At this stage it's too early for me to pass a comment on this proposal.

"I would be very keen to gauge the opinion of people in the village about this over the coming weeks."

For further information about Volkswind visit the website at www.volkswind.com

Courtesy of Northants Evening Telegraph Newspaper. Article by Catherine Collins.