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Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm

Coordinates: 50°57′45″N 00°49′13″E / 50.96250°N 0.82028°E / 50.96250; 0.82028
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Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm
Little Cheyne Court wind farm, close to power lines running to Dungeness Nuclear Power Station
Map
CountryEngland, United Kingdom
LocationRomney Marsh
Coordinates50°57′45″N 00°49′13″E / 50.96250°N 0.82028°E / 50.96250; 0.82028
StatusOperational
Commission dateApril 2009
Power generation
Units operational26 x 2.3 MW
Make and modelNordex: N90
Nameplate capacity59.8 MW
External links
CommonsRelated media on Commons

The Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm is located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) west of Lydd on Romney Marsh. It was built by npower renewables and cost around £50 million. The 26 wind turbines, each 115 metres (377 ft) high, are distributed over an area of 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) with peak generation of 59.8 MW.[1]

Opposition to the windfarm

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The site has proved controversial and has been opposed by parish, district and county councils, the local MP and other groups as detrimental to the visual appearance of the Marsh[2] and a threat to wildlife. However, they were overruled by Central Government, and the turbines were erected in the period June - October 2008.[1] The DTI indicated that a significant number of local people submitted comments in favour of the project, whilst a consistent 70% to 80% of the UK public support wind farms.[3] Some local campaigners still oppose the development, attracting accusations of "rural nimbyism" and being under the "sinister" influence of the nuclear lobby.[4] Conversely, campaigners for the siting attract accusations of "professional" self-interest and of hiding behind the truism that obviously renewable energy is beneficial.

The RSPB,[5] CPRE Kent and English Nature[6] all objected to the use of this particular site as a wind farm on environmental grounds. The proximity of the site to the internationally important RSPB reserve and the land's status as an SSSI were particularly controversial.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm". RWE Innogy. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Debunking the myths". Archived from the original on 24 October 2003.
  3. ^ "Public Attitudes to Wind Energy in the UK" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2006.
  4. ^ Toynbee, Polly (13 August 2004). "Countryside alliance". The Guardian. London.
  5. ^ "Little Cheyne Court windfarm". RSPB. Archived from the original on 2 January 2007.
  6. ^ "Disappointment at Romney Marsh windfarm decision". 18 October 2005. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2012.