County council backs plans new wind farm in Lincolnshire despite tough stance

The county council says it supports plans for a new wind farm in Lincolnshire – despite its well-publicised tough stance against on-shore turbines.

Up to 22 new windmills will be built in Heckington Fen, between Sleaford and Boston, after planning was approved by central government.

Once built it will be the fourth largest onshore wind farm in England and Colin Davie, the environmental scrutiny committee chairman at Lincolnshire County Council, has supported the scheme.

It comes despite the Conservative-led authority's previously tough stance on more windmills being built in the county.

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A recent survey of Lincolnshire residents showed that 90 per cent backed the council's tough stance on more being built.

Mr Davie said: "What both myself and the council do not support is badly sited wind farms.

"There appears to be no public opposition to this scheme in Heckington Fen and I support it.

"I have always said we have got our fair share of windmills in Lincolnshire.

"Once we have this built, we will have even more than our fair share.

"We do have to be careful Lincolnshire doesn't become inundated with wind farms. But I support this scheme because it is well sited and it complies with the county council's guidelines.

"I have a positive attitude towards renewable energy but that doesn't mean to say we shouldn't be careful."

The plans have been put together by Britain's first green energy company Ecotricity and given the green light by former secretary of state for energy and climate, Chris Huhne.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: "Heckington Fen is a superb location for a wind park – probably the best we have ever seen.

"The planning department from North Kesteven District Council recommended the application for approval and we had no objections from English Heritage, the RSPB and Natural England. That is quite rare and a sign of what a strong project this is.

"Heckington Fen will make a significant contribution to Britain's energy supply, powering the equivalent of almost 40,000 homes for the next 25 years.

"We are grateful to the secretary of state for his decision in the face of considerable political hot air right now on the subject of windmills, and we would like to thank the many people in the local community that wrote letters of support for the project."

Heckington Fen Wind Farm will generate up to 66MW of clean energy from the local wind resource – saving almost 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere each year.