Best-kept village battles turbine plan
Residents of an award-winning village fear their setting could change forever if a controversial wind farm is approved.
Five turbines are planned by RWE npower for Temple Hill, Stubton — winner of the Lincolnshire Best Kept Village title for population 100 to 500.
The turbines would be up to 126.5metres tall — the same height as the London Eye and bigger than Big Ben, and as wide as a jumbo jet.
Stubton won the best-kept village accolade in its 50th jubilee year and for the third time, having been successful in 1983 and 1994, and has just received its plaque.
Residents attributed their success to a sense of pride in their community, but fear the turbines will spoil their efforts.
Mr Rob Thornton — one of many villagers often out mowing communal areas — said: “It is ironic that we are trying to do the best we can for our community at a time when someone else is trying to ruin it.
“We take pride in our environment and have no desire to see it disfigured by a wind farm on an industrial scale.”
Mr Hugh Wilson said: “There’s a real sense of pride in Stubton. People look after the frontages of the properties and can often be seen out trimming back their hedges from the paths.”
He believed it was the diversity in the village that helped to win the award, from the traditional garden of Mr John Scrimshire, a grower of vegetables, to the wildflower garden of Mr Mel Belshaw.
Mr Peter Stokes said: “The judges kept true to the spirit of the competition. Stubton may not be the most picturesque village but we are delighted with the honour it’s the best kept in the category.”
One of the village’s popular traditions is the raising of the Union flag on the village green on all national holidays, as well as for births, marriages, deaths and special anniversaries.
The flag flew for every gold medal gained at the London Olympics and Paralympics.
Villagers born in foreign countries can raise their own nation’s flag on their national days. Nations represented include Australia, New Zealand and America.
Campaigners against the Temple Hill wind farm want South Kesteven District Council to set minimum distances between communities and turbines. They say those at Temple Hill would be too close at 750m from the nearest homes, 1,000m from the nearest village, and 750m from a nursery school.
Campaigners, who formed reVolt, Rural Economies and Voters Opposed to Loveden Turbines, say the turbines would be visible for up to 25 miles and from as far as Nottingham.
The radius includes 30 parishes in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
In a poll of residents of Stubton, 97% were opposed to the wind farm. A total of 98% of respondents from Branston were also opposed.
RWE npower says Temple Hill could produce enough energy to power up to 7,000 homes a year and provide a £300,000 community benefit fund.
