Survey says....you want wind turbines
A SURPRISING survey shows more than three quarters of residents in part of South Holland would like wind turbines near their homes.
Respected polling agency Populus says 77 per cent of people in the eastern section of the district favour putting onshore turbines in their "local area".
Populus was commissioned by RES Renewables - which is convinced that people are in favour of the seven turbines it hopes to build near Tydd St Mary despite a 350-plus signature petition drawn up by MP John Hayes against it.
RES insists dissenting voices have always been in a minority and says it ordered the poll to prove the "great support" it has had.
Project leader Helen Hall said: "In common with any new significant proposal, there has been a small number of people making statements against the project.
"This survey should reassure the council that the majority of local people are in favour of a wind farm."
The plans will come before South Holland District Council on Wednesday - with officers recommending that members of the development control committee approve the scheme.
South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes has already presented a 353-name petition against the turbines planned for Grange Farm, in between Tydd St Mary and Long Sutton, to the council.
He held two public meetings which proved broadly against the tubines, and has received letters from concerned residents.
He questioned how accurate the survey is as a gauge of public mood - feeling that people would react differently if questioned about a specific planned wind farm close to their home.
The vast majority of his signatures are from the Tydd and Sutton Bridge area.
Mr Hayes, who favours offshore wind turbines, said: "I am suspicious of any poll commissioned by one side - it is a bit like a poll being carried out for one political party.
"I do not doubt Populus but these polls can be commissioned with an aim in mind."
Mr Hayes wants all wind farm developments put on hold while the High Court examines the case of Deeping St Nicholas couple Jane and Julian Davis - who were forced out of their home by noise from nearby turbines.
The surprising poll result also comes after a wave of opposition against planned developments near Gedney Hill and at Billingborough, Sempringham and Dunsby.
*Populus interviewed 1,000 by telephone wards of Long Sutton, The Saints, Walpole, Sutton Bridge, Gedney and Roman Bank between October 14 and 18.
*Would you like wind turbines built near your home? Are the silent majority drowned out by vocal opposition groups or is the poll an untrue reflection of what you think?
E-mail andrew.brookes@jpress.co.uk and cast your vote in our online poll.
Also see Tuesday's Lincolnshire Free Press for a feature on wind turbines and an exclusive chat with RES about why it thinks we need them.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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