Split over wind farm

A PUBLIC hall was packed out on Wednesday night as worried residents met to find out more about controversial proposals to build nine wind turbines near Beccles.

About 200 people attended a public meeting about a renewable energy company's plans to build three groups of three turbines at Devonshire Farm and Granary Farm, both in Ringsfield, and Laurels Farm in Barsham.

The planning applications submitted by Stamford Renewables have split public opinion.

While there are people who are in support of the green energy project, others oppose the scheme on grounds of potential visual and noise impact, and a campaign group called Halt has been formed to fight the plans.

Speaking at the meeting at Beccles Public Hall, Philip Johnson, of Halt, said he thought it was 'disappointing' that Mike Stamford, chief executive of Stamford Renewables, had declined to attend.

Mr Johnson said: 'We think these turbines are wrong for our landscape. Our landscape is dominated by fields, there are small hamlets and rural churches. Tourists come to see us because of our big East Anglian skies. We do not think wind turbines will fit into this landscape.'

Mr Johnson said the group also believed that Stamford Renewables plans to site the turbines too close to houses.

'In our opinion, these proposals will utterly disfigure a lovely piece of England and make life a misery for people,' he said.

But not everyone at the meeting was opposed to the plans.

Beccles resident Corinne Green spoke in support of the project. She said: 'I have three children and I live in Beccles. I have seen big posters saying 'industrial monsters'. I do not see them like that. I see them as

hope. We are looking at something that says we care about this planet and

we want to do something positive about it.'

The meeting was arranged by Beccles Town Council's planning committee. Members must make their recommendations ahead of Waveney District Council's decision, which is likely to be in April.