Huff and puff can't stop wind farm

Plans to build a wind farm near Emberton have scraped through despite local opposition.

Seven turbines are to be built on Petsoe Manor Farm, near Emberton.

Milton Keynes Council's development control committee gave the go ahead at a two-hour special meeting on Monday night. with six councillors voting for and five against.

Around 200 people attended the meeting, some waving banners saying things like 'save our planet'.

The farm would produce enough electricity to power up to 9,000 homes and could reduce CO2 emissions by 36,300 tonnes a year - equivalent to taking over 13,000 cars off the road.

A group known as Bucks Renewable Energy and Environment Society, or BREES, launched in April to support the plans.

But anti-wind farm campaign group Bucks Lacks Enough Wind (BLEW) argues that Milton Keynes is in a low wind speed area. It claims the plant will make little difference to local energy needs and the 125m high turbines will ruin views.

Fifteen nearby town and parish councils also objected with one parish council in support.

Peter Geary, of BLEW, said: "The committee last night ruined one of the greatest resources Milton Keynes has. This is the largest unspoilt area of Milton Keynes, the most tranquil place the city has. The footpaths will be ruined and the horse riders won't be able to use the bridal ways as the turbines will be too close." BLEW is considering an appeal.

The council received 1,558 letters supporting the application and 272 against.

Committee chairman Cllr Brian Morsley, said: "For me it is a positive thing as I think everywhere in the world needs a renewable energy source."

Andrew Lockley, co-ordinator for Milton Keynes Friends of the Earth said: "The wind farm will provide a very significant source of green power. A large proportion of homes in Milton Keynes can now be powered by a locally generated source."

The company behind the scheme, Your Energy, hopes to have the wind farm operational in 2009.