Joy as wind farm plans blown out

Plans to build a wind farm on a Cold War missile site in the county have been turned down following overwhelming public opposition.

Residents from Maidwell, Draughton and Harrington packed the chamber for a meeting of Daventry District Council's planning committee on Wednesday to protest against plans to build seven wind turbines on land between the villages.

In strongly-worded representations to the committee that were backed up by the leader of the authority Chris Millar and other councillors, villagers expressed their concerns over the plans, which they say would blight the landscape, cause noise nuisance and be detrimental to the missile site, World War Two airfield and war memorial.

Although the proposals were recommended for approval by planning officers, members voted overwhelmingly to reject the application on the grounds it was against planning policies, causing scenes of jubilation in the public gallery and outside the packed chamber.

Ann Smeaton, of action group Say No To Harrington Wind Farm, which was formed to fight against the proposals, said: "We are absolutely delighted. We are extremely relieved that the planning committee came to the decision it did.

"When we heard the recommendation of the case officer we were pessimistic about our chances so we're really grateful the planning committee took a different stance. It's been a long struggle."

Nuon, the energy company behind the application, has revealed it is considering appealing against the decision but campaigners have warned if they do they should expect the same level of opposition.

Mrs Smeaton said: "If they appeal it is for the council to defend its decision but we will provide them with every possible help we can give so the committee continue to operate to represent residents' views."