Turbine protest gathers recruits

Friday 18th January 2008, 3:43PM GMT.

A group opposed to plans to build a windfarm in Shropshire is celebrating after boosting its membership to 800.

The VORTEX (Veto on Rural Turbine Expansion) Windfarm Action group was set up after Dutch firm Nuon Renewables announced plans to site seven wind turbines at Norton-in-Hales, near Market Drayton.

A year on and 800 people have joined the fight against the development.

Terry May, co-ordinator, said about 100 people had joined the group in the last month after a giant balloon was sent 105 metres into the skies – the proposed height of the wind turbines.

“We’ve been flying a blimp at 105 metres on farmland adjacent to the site to show people the height the turbines would actually be,” she said.

“A lot of people have been really amazed at how tall they are going to be.

“There is an awful lot of concern about the visual impact of the wind turbines. It’s a particularly beautiful, quiet spot here and a planning application last year for a log cabin was turned down for visual intrusion.

“This windfarm just doesn’t compare with that.”

Mrs May said the group was looking at buying its own blimp, so members can fly it more often to raise more awareness.

She said the proposed site, off Poplar Lane, would mean some of the turbines would be in Norton-in-Hales and some in Woore, but would affect residents for miles.

View more: North Shropshire news.