Marsh wind farm given green light

David Bellamy and Michael Howard spoke against the wind farm plans

Government approval for a controversial 26-turbine wind farm on the Kent and East Sussex border has been met with a mixed reaction.

The green light for the £50m Npower Renewables development was given by energy minister Malcolm Wicks.

Construction on the wind farm, at Little Cheyne Court, Walland Marsh, Kent, is now due to begin in 2006.

Environmental groups raised concerns about the impact on wildlife habitats and the surrounding countryside.

A public inquiry was held from October 2004 until January 2005 after widespread opposition from councils in Kent and East Sussex.

Announcing the go-ahead on Tuesday, Mr Wicks said: "The Little Cheyne Court wind farm is the latest development in the UK's growing wind sector and I am pleased to announce consent based on a thorough public inquiry earlier this year.

"We will degrade our environment in the name of saving it Dr Hilary Newport, CPRE Kent

"Its 26 turbines will generate enough electricity to power 32,000 homes, with substantial savings in carbon dioxide emissions."

A number of environmental groups have criticised the decision.

Dr Hilary Newport, director of the Kent branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "Wind energy has a vital role to play in lowering our greenhouse gas emissions, but giving permission to an onshore wind farm in a unique part of rural Kent defeats the purpose of the exercise.

"We will degrade our environment in the name of saving it," she added.

English Nature and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said wind farms "must avoid damage to internationally important wildlife sites and bird populations".

They fear birds in the area could collide with the turbines.

Announcement welcomed

Npower said it would work with local councils to "minimise disruption to wildlife", while also setting up a £50,000-a-year fund to put towards the environment.

"Little Cheyne Court will make a significant contribution towards the government's renewable energy targets," said Npower's Kevin McCullough.

Dr Hazel Dawe, from the Kent Green Party, said: "We are delighted that the government has accepted our view that the Little Cheyne Court wind farm posed no significant environmental threat."

Friends of the Earth also welcomed the announcement.

Campaigner Barrie Botley said: "Unlike nuclear power plants, wind farms will not leave a legacy of pollution for generations to come.

"At the end of their lives they can be easily dismantled and the land returned to its former state."