Thursday 14 March 2013

Biting cold

Another biting cold morning in Cranfield. Minus 4 at the Broad Green Monitoring Station, with a mixture of ice and and dusting of snow on top of the cars. 

I went to the Parish Council surgery last night, themed around wind energy. The vigorous attendance at the last parish council meeting  and the PC Wind Energy Working Group public meeting on Thursday 21 March probably explain the lower turn out. Nevertheless we had a useful discussion with a number of parishioners and the input of Sue Clark one of our Central Beds councillors (and a parish councillor) was extremely helpful and interesting. She elaborated on the CBC wind energy policy currently going through the gears at Chicksands. This mainly focuses on designating areas which are less suitable for wind turbines - particularly groups of six or eight similar to the Cranfield application. I understand the Vale has been so designated.

However, the policy will still go through an inspector's inquiry to establish its legality (routine practice) and will not necessarily stand up in court unless this seal of approval has been granted. I.e. it will take some time.

She warned that the FCC application itself might be a lengthy process and campaigners needed to be ready to be aware of each new stage as it approaches and be ready to react.


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