Residents fear turbine eyesore
Electricity company E.ON has confirmed a group of wind turbines it wants to build next to the Naseby battlefield site would be visible from the historic area.
The Chronicle & Echo first reported plans for the Naseby wind turbines in December, when historians warned a group of "thrashing and waving" arms next to the battlefield would overshadow the site.
Yesterday, E.ON held a public meeting in the Northamptonshire village where computer generated photographs showing what the 377ft turbines would look like from the battlefield were put on show.
The plans shocked residents who turned out in force to give their opinions.
Wendy Westall, who lives close to where the turbines would be sited, said: "We're utterly and totally opposed to them.
"They're just not appropriate for this historic area. Everyone around here is very proud of the battlefield and we want to protect it."
She was backed by Jacqueline Kelr, who is a member of an action group fighting against the turbine plans.
She said: "We're not against renewable energy and this is not Nimby-ism.
"We just believe they should build these turbines in more appropriate areas. If it was close to an industrial site that would be much more appropriate.
"The battlefield is internationally important and if these turbines are built, they will completely overshadow it."
E.ON's plans would see the turbines built on land owned by the Kelmarsh Hall Estate. The area, known as Tallyho Covert, is in between Kelmarsh, Naseby and Haselbech.
In documents handed out to residents at yesterday's public meeting, E.ON said: "Developing a wind farm on this land would not only contribute to generating large amounts of renewable energy for the UK but would also help support the Kelmarsh Trust in providing revenue that will allow the estate to be maintained for future generations."
The company added that plans for the turbines were still in their very early stages and that the turbines themselves would act as a tourist attraction.
The Battle of Naseby was one of the most important battles ever fought in England.
It happened on June 14, 1645, when Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army destroyed the forces of King Charles I.
wayne.bontoft@northantsnews.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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