STOPIT Update Spring 2008

Nuon, the developer, staged a somewhat flawed public presentation at Witheridge Parish Hall at the end of March, leaving very many questions unanswered.

While the developers have been observed digging ditches, pegging out ground and assessing local road access to the site, they clearly have no intention of erecting an anemometer mast (despite this being agreed best practice), so we have no idea if there really is enough wind here. No figures relating to the (very brief) noise assessment were made available at the public consultation, although Nuon representatives did agree that this is a particularly quiet site. Nor are Nomansland residents any the wiser about what sort of visual impact to expect, as this crucial photo was somehow ‘missing’.
However we are sure that the local public are forming a very solid band of resistance against this possible development, and gave huge support to the STOPIT presentation held in the room adjoining the Nuon presentation! Our support base is now considerable, as people become aware of what the development might mean.

STOPIT has now held two very successful Bingo fund-raising evenings. We also intend to have a stall at the St John’s fair in Witheridge on 21st June, so any offers of help and support would be welcome. We would also like to like to begin to collect second-hand items and jumble in order to boost funds; please do get in touch if you think you may have items of interest.
Many generous donations have already been gratefully received, although fund raising remains a priority, as consultants and lawyers will almost certainly be employed to advise about planning and other matters in due course.

Although no planning application has yet been made (or is indeed expected to be imminent), letters of objection will certainly be needed when the time comes. We will continue to keep our supporters informed, but consider that the outcome of the Fullabrook Down Judicial Review, to be held in late June, together with planning decisions for other, more local, wind farms will be likely to be influential.
Watch this space!
NB. We recommend that supporters regularly visit www.nuonrenewables.com checking under projects and then looking at Franklyn wind farm in order glean up to date information concerning maps etc.