Farmer defends wind turbine plan

04 January 2007

A farmer has refuted fears that a wind turbine at his home could spoil a vista of historic Wymondham Abbey, claiming the area could be flooded in the future if predictions about global warming are ignored.

David Barber is keen to do his bit to help protect the environment by installing a 17.5metre high turbine on his land at Cavick House Farm, Cavick Road, Wymondham, that will produce renewable “green” energy. It would generate enough electricity to supply power for his family's home, two separate flats and two holiday lets, as well as the farm itself.

South Norfolk Council's north west area committee yesterday approved the application, and there were two letters of support from neighbours.

However, a local resident who has asked not to be named, objected to the proposal.

He said the wind turbine would be located in an area of attractive countryside that is “the last unspoiled approach” to Wymondham's historic town centre and the wider setting of the abbey, and was concerned that the council had been provided with insufficient information to assess the visual impact of the structure.

He submitted photographs of a similar turbine at Crownthorpe which he claimed is highly visible on the crest of a ridge, despite being two miles away.

“An equivalent structure, just on the far side of the Tiffey Valley, would have a significant detrimental impact on this attractive vista of the abbey, particularly if adjoining landowners along this ridge decided to follow suit,” he said in his letter to the council.

The Wymondham-based Tiffey Trails Group did not raise any concerns about the turbine, and Mr Barber believed the fears are groundless.

“I understand that people want to protect the valley but my argument is it's on a flood plain and in 50 years time could be totally flooded if people don't start thinking about green energy, like I am doing in my small way. Temperatures are rising and I know from farming that seasons are changing, and people are not thinking far enough ahead,” he said.

“I have proposed putting the turbine behind my pig buildings because it is going to be totally covered by 2000 trees I planted seven years ago, and which are going to grow in the course of time. It's not going to be anything like the Swaffham eco-turbine, it's only a very small dot on the landscape, and it won't just be supplying my house. It's providing enough energy for six households and the farm.”