Green group backs bid for wind turbines near Newport
A green group today backed plans for four massive wind turbines more than 100 metres tall near the Shropshire border.
Charles Worth, chairman of the Newport 21 group, said a windfarm such as the one proposed by REG Windpower at Knightley Hall, close to Gnosall, would be necessary to protect the environment. He pointed to the need to keep global warming to a minimum to rising sea levels, advancing deserts and extreme weather events like the recent devastating typhoon in the Philippines.
The firm says that the turbines, which would be 130 metres (426ft) tall to blade tip, would produce enough energy to power 5,000 homes each year. But local campaigners have launched a petition to block the plans.
Mr Worth said common concerns about noise and the danger to birds are often exaggerated.
But campaigner Jill Seymour said: "These turbines are bigger than Big Ben and cost a fortune to buy and maintain. They interfere with military radar, are an eyesore and environmentally damaging."
