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Greens give backing to windfarm proposal
SHEFFIELD Green Party has put itself at loggerheads with residents, countryside groups and local MP Angela Smith after coming out in support of plans for a windfarm near Stocksbridge.
Stocksbridge town councillor Dan Lyons has been joined by Sheffield city councillor and Greens leader, Coun Jillian Creasey, and Euro hopeful Steve Barnard, in backing the scheme for Sheephouse Heights.
Evelop has lodged plans with Barnsley Council for five 410ft turbines on the site beside the Stocksbridge Bypass near Midhopestones.
Coun Lyons says he hopes the "slim, elegant" structures would become a famous Stocksbridge landmark.
He added: "Scientists now realise we have less than 10 years to start seriously curbing greenhouse gas emissions if we are to prevent a rapid rise in world temperature which could lead not only to huge impacts in and of itself, but would trigger runaway climate change.
"This is an urgent situation. Our community must grasp the bigger picture and play our part in producing clean energy. These efficient turbines could produce electricity for 9,000 homes, roughly equivalent to a town the size of Stocksbridge.
"The site at Sheephouse Heights is far from pristine, untouched nature and already contains several large pylons and masts."
The plan is opposed by Sheffield Council, Stocksbridge Council, local parish councils, the Peak District National Park and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, as well as hundreds of residents.
Henry Weldon, of Protect Sheephouse Heights Group, said the turbines would be a blot on the landscape.
He said: "These turbines are too big for the landscape, and too close to local residents.
"We expected the Green Party to support this proposal due to their commitment to renewable energy. However, the timing of this announcement, to coincide with Evelop's renewed PR campaign, is of more concern.
"These Green Party members have failed to convince their respective council members that this site is a suitable windfarm development."
Angela Smith MP also objects to the scheme, despite the Government's strong backing for renewable energy.
She said: "I do not believe that we should destroy the environment in order to protect the environment."
Last week Barnsley Council approved EON plans for three 410ft turbines at Blackstone Edge near Penistone.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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