One of Britain’s top historians has expressed serious concern at plans to build a wind farm next to the Naseby battlefield.

Professor Richard Holmes, who is president of the Battlefields Trust, said he feared the seven, 377ft turbines which power company E.ON wants to build close to the Northamptonshire site could have a real negative impact.

“I think any reasonable person would certainly not be for it.”

This is taken from an article that appeared in the Northampton Chronicle and Echo on 23^rd February 2008,

Click here to read the whole article

The local Harborough Mail has published an article detailing the proliferation of proposed wind farms in the North Northamptonshire and South Leicestershire, which it should be remembered is one of the least windy places in the UK!

In this article Laura Carse, the development manager of Wind Direct, a company who have previously looked at building a wind farm close to Naseby Battlefield site said:

“We originally considered a site close to the Naseby battlefield but decided that the cultural heritage of the site could be compromised. We have to consider a whole range of aspects before one is chosen, such as the environmental impact and the historical culture of sites.”

Click here to read the whole article

The proposed Kelmarsh Wind Farm is planned adjacent to Tally Ho Covert; a beautiful small wood.

This means there will be implications for the local wildlife populations, both from the massive turbines themselves and the large amount of construction work and traffic that will be required to build them.

One of the most sensitive of all creatures is the bat and as such they are protected by law.

“Erecting turbines in the unspoilt countryside of this area seems to be madness and could seriously affect our native bats.” not our words, but those of Phil Richardson from the Northants Bat Group.

In fact the Kelmarsh Estate are so proud of the bats on their land, that they have held annual bat walks for the last five years, yet they seem prepared to put those bats at high risk with this proposal.

Click here to read the full views of The Northants Bat Group

As we have stated elsewhere on this site, our primary objection to the Kelmarsh Wind Farm is based on the impact to the local wildlife, environment and the local historic landscape. A similar proposal in Northamptonshire was refused precisely on these grounds.

Please click here for more information on the impact to wildlife, the environment and community

There is also concern about the proximity of the proposed wind farm to Tally Ho Lane; an ancient byway which runs through the site and is greatly enjoyed by walkers and horse riders.

Please click here to read more about the threat to Tally Ho Lane

If you believe that the hype from the energy companies, they will tell you that the impact on the environment is minimal

Does that look like minimal impact? This is the foundation for just one turbine and it is a mere 3/4 of the height of those at the proposed Kelmarsh Wind Farm