About us


Stop Benington Wind Farm is an action group of local residents, formed in July 2007, who oppose 'RHBott & Sons' plans to build a wind farm, consisting of 3 (120 metre high) wind turbines, on the ridge between Benington and Watton At Stone next to a narrow dangerous and busy lane, which is an area of great natural beauty, and in close proximity to several other villages.

Committee members:
Alison Dalby
Carolyn Godlee
Christine Ellen
David Green
David Wells
Jill Butterworth
John Woods
John Wright
Julian Godlee
Keith Luetchford
Ken Crofton
Ken Pomfrett
Lindy Crofton
Marcus Taverner
Margaret Woods
Mark Hughes
Martin Rayfield
Martin Wood
Mike Spicer
Nigel Stanley
Peter Kingsnorth
Rowan ODuffy
Sandra File
Sarah Denison

Pro Wind Energy
·
Stop Benington Wind Farm are supportive of wind energy's role in developing more sustainable sources of energy and in reducing CO2 emissions.
  · StopBWF supports offshore wind farms because, they:
    · are more efficient, larger turbines can be built in greater numbers.
    · take advantage of the stronger and consistent offshore winds.
    · avoid the negative impact of onshore wind farms on people and the surrounding countryside.
 
·
Stop Benington Wind Farm opposes onshore wind farms because:
    · they generate relatively small amounts of power.
    · they create noise and hence health issues amongst local residents.
    · they impact intrusively onto the local landscape.
    · they have no significant economic benefit to the local economy.
    · the reduction in CO2 emissions is completely outweighed by the negative impacts they have on local people and countryside.
    · the rapid increase in planning applications for onshore wind farms is being driven by the profit motive of the developers.

Benington Wind Farm
· Each proposed site for an onshore wind farm has its own set of issues which need to be researched thoroughly.
 
· There are 4 villages within 4 kms of the proposed site and almost 20,000 people live in the villages consulted by the planners as being potentially affected.
 
·
Stop Benington Wind Farm are opposed to this site because:
    · it will represent the industrialisation of a predominantly rural area.
    · local residents will be adversely affected by various types of noise during the day and at night.
    · the proposed development is completely out of scale with the surrounding gently rolling countryside. It will be seen from up to 30kms away.
    · it will be very close to the road and will create distraction to drivers and hence increase accidents on an already dangerous stretch of road.
    · it contravenes the local structure plan produced by the District Council.
    · it will reduce the amenity value and hence property prices for residents in the area.

Activity - What we do?
·
Stop Benington Wind Farm will actively campaign to ensure this planning application and appeal is rejected by:
    · Mobilising local support, by ensuring that all residents are aware of the issues impacting on them by holding public meetings and leaflet distribution in the villages.
    · Employing independent specialists in the areas of sound and landscape impact to obtain accurate data and expertise.
    · Seeking the support of local businesses.
    · Undertaking comprehensive research of all relevant issues.
    · Producing an exhaustive, authoritative rebuttal of the planning application and appeal.

What can you do?
· Please take some time to read the information on our site.
    · Visit The Energy Savings Trust website and learn how we can all make day to day changes to save energy and cut Co2 emissions.
    · If you would like to join
Stop Benington Wind Farm e-mail us at stopbeningtonwindfarm@yahoo.co.uk


Send comments or questions to us via e-mail at stopbeningtonwindfarm@yahoo.co.uk

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