Building work starts on village wind farm

Work started on the new Langford wind farm on Thursday (August 8), seven months after the controversial facility was approved by the Planning Inspectorate.The Co-operative Group began work on the main turbines on land north of Edworth Road.Work is expected to last until late September.Since January – when the Planning Inspectorate controversially overturned Central Beds Council’s refusal of the Co-operative Group’s planning application – the company has been busy preparing the site for construction.It has also warned that there may be some traffic delays and obstruction in the weeks to come.Rob Ellis, sustainable energy manager at the Co-operative Group, said: “Construction of the main wind turbines has begun and will continue through until late September.“During this period residents may experience some minor traffic delays around junction 10 of the A1 where it meets Edworth Road, as the vehicles carrying the components will be travelling slower than normal construction traffic due to their size.“We are working with the council and the Highways Agency to ensure that this has a minimal impact on residents and road users.”Global Graphene Technology Market Forecast to Grow at 55.54% CAGR till 2023

He added: “Once up and running, the 10 turbines will generate approximately 20 megawatts of clean, green electricity – enough to power 11,400 homes.”While many villagers campaigned against the plans on grounds of noise and the visual impact of the wind farm, readers commenting on the Biggleswade Chronicle Facebook page were not all against the development.Liz Cox said: “Very pleased. I think we should all be mightily grateful to be getting a wind turbine when other communities are facing the prospect of having their local landscapes destroyed by fracking.”Andy Hopkins added: “Really pleased it’s finally going ahead. I actually think wind turbines look great on the landscape.“Would people prefer wind turbines or a coal, gas or nuclear power station on their doorstep? I know what I would prefer.”But Rachel Eastwood-Vauls said: “I’m assuming the people who are for the wind farm don’t live in Langford.“I’m not against green energy but I am against the proximity of the turbines to the village.”