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Opposition to Hampshire wind farm grows (From Daily Echo)
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Opposition to Hampshire wind farm grows
3:00pm Wednesday 13th May 2009
OPPOSITION to plans for a wind farm in the South Downs, in the heart of rural Hampshire, is growing.
As first revealed by the Daily Echo last week, Germany energy firm Volkswind want to erect two 126.5m turbines at Wether Down, near the village of East Meon.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has called for the proposal, which is to be submitted to East Hampshire District Council in the summer, to be withdrawn.
John Venning, chairman of CPRE Hampshire, said: “There are no wind farms in national parks in the UK because of the adverse impacts they would have on the exceptional landscape qualities and superior recreational experience they provide to the whole nation.
“We believe that a wind farm would have very severe adverse impacts to the iconic landscape of the South Downs National Park and the South Downs Way national trail and we would vigorously oppose any wind turbines at East Meon.
“The benefit in terms of C02 savings would be minimal and could never justify the landscape damage.”
Ramblers in Hampshire also expressed their strong opposition to the proposed wind farm, which is adjacent to South Downs Way, a popular long distance path.
They claimed the two giant structures would destroy the visual beauty and tranquil nature of the area.
Owen Plunkett, chairman of Hampshire Ramblers, which has 5,200 members in the county, said: “There are no wind farms in any of the existing national parks and we feel it essential that this remains the case.
“We hope this proposal will be rejected to ensure that this beautiful area is preserved for the public & future generations to enjoy.”
Volkswind operations manager Sarah West said the site had only been announced after 18 months of research. She also believed the Mercury Wind Farm would not set a precedent for more turbines to be erected across the South Downs.
“Every project must be assessed on its own merits and in this case we believe a small-scale wind farm would be appropriately sited here.”
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An artist's impression of the Mercury Wind Farm near the village of East Meon
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