Plan for turbines by battlefield site
An historian has warned plans to build a wind farm next to the site of the Battle of Naseby would destroy "one of Britain's best preserved battlefields".
Electricity firm E.ON has formally submitted plans to build seven wind turbines on land owned by Kelmarsh Hall.
The application was received by officers at Daventry District Council on Friday afternoon and a decision is now due to be made later this year.
However, local experts have already voiced their opposition to the construction of the 400-foot tall turbines next to one of Northamptonshire's most important historical sites.
Martin Marix Evans, a respected local military historian and author of two books on Naseby, said the character of the Naseby site was already being lost.
He said: "The landscape has already changed greatly.
"Any further changes that detract from one being able to visualise the battlefield as it was at the time of the battle would be very regrettable.
"In my opinion, it would minimise what we are trying to present, which is a landscape from the 17th Century."
The battle of Naseby, fought on Saturday, June 14, 1645, was the turning point of the English Civil War and is therefore regarded one of the most important moments in British history.
Mr Marix Evans said: "It really is a crucial signpost in the history of democracy in this country.
"I say to school children 'we are looking at the landscape where your right to vote was secured'.
"It is an unspoilt landscape and it is one of the least defiled battlefields in the country."
E.ON has said the wind farm would produce enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of 7,828 homes.
Daniel Badcock, E.ON project developer, told the Chronicle & Echo careful consideration of the impact of the plans had been carried out before the firm submitted proposals for the new wind farm.
He said: "Before submitting these plans we've made sure that we've carried out all necessary studies and worked with local stakeholders to ensure that we've taken into consideration all possible factors. We firmly believe that this is not only a great place for a wind farm but also that our application reflects that and the work that we've carried out."
He said E.ON will hold two further information days this month.
For more information about the proposal contact E.ON at renewables@eon-uk.com or visit www.eon-uk.com/ generation/kelmarsh.aspx.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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