VERNON COAKER MP VISITS SPORTS FACILITY TO DISCUSS THE THREAT OF CLOSURE BY WIND TURBINES

As a result of recent comments in the media by Vernon Coaker, the Gedling MP visited the Poplars sports facility in Burton Joyce last weekend. (5th June 2010) During his visit Vernon listened to the concerns of Senior Club members of Burton Joyce Football, Archery, Cricket and Bowls clubs.

ABOVE: Vernon with Burton Joyce Parish Council and community representatives

Severn Trent Water PLC (STW) has applied for planning permission to erect two Giant Wind Turbines in the fields immediately next to the Sports Ground. The potential intrusion of large rotating blades, shadow flicker, noise and health and safety aspects has lead to the clubs writing & informing  Burton Joyce Parish Council (BJPC) that if the installations were allowed to proceed they would no longer be in a position to use the facility safely.

Chairman of BJPC, Richard Potter said “Despite a token gesture by STW to move the Turbines slightly the fact remains that their overbearing size and presence has not diminished the concerns of the sporting organisations using the facility. Clearly if the clubs are forced to leave, then the resulting loss of revenue will lead BJPC to the inevitable conclusion of closing the Poplars Sports Ground. This will have a devastating impact on the community the hundreds of junior and senior sports enthusiasts at a time when Government is focusing a considerable amount of effort into improving healthy life styles and general fitness”

Vernon Coaker particularly expressed his own concerns about the effects of noise to the 3,000 residents from the two 430ft wind Turbines proposed by STW at its Stoke Bardolph plant. “Renewable Energy plays an important part in the future of UK however schemes such as this must be balanced with the effect on the local community. I have been made aware of serious issues that need to be addressed with this application before it can proceed and I shall be contacting Gedling Borough planning Department for reassurances about my concerns.”

Cllr Richard Potter said “We also support renewable initiatives which is why we have tasked a councillor to investigate a community power scheme using the weirs on the Trent as a viable source of consistent energy. As the key planning consultee we were pleased that Vernon Coaker MP acknowledged that the basis of our objection was to ensure compliance to planning legislation and policies relating to structures of this magnitude and their impact on the community, rather than the too easily levelled criticism of NIMBISM by people that had not studied this actual application in detail.”