“Big sky” thinking is being used by South Holland’s MP to support campaigners who are raising £40,000 to stop a wind farm being built in Sutton St James.
Minutes after giving evidence at a public inquiry into plans by Wind Ventures Ltd to build Treadings Bank Wind Farm with six 126-metre high turbines, John Hayes said he had spoken of the joy of living in Fenland and why it should be protected.
Mr Hayes said: “Emptiness of the countryside is not a reason to support wind farms. The joy of Fenland is its big skies.
“When I come home from London I feel liberated by its openness.
“You can see forever. For me it is spiritual – it’s magical.”
Some 30 to 40 members of protest group FenRATS gathered outside the Boathouse in Wisbech yesterday to show their objection on the first of an eight-day hearing.
It has engaged the services of a barrister and experts at an estimated cost of £40,000.
Wind Ventures lodged an appeal after both Fenland District Council and South Holland District Council rejected their application last year.
Senior parliamentary adviser to David Cameron, Mr Hayes said: “I was speaking as the local MP and said the plan was a totally unacceptable development that would have a adverse impact on the countryside and affect the quality of life of the residents.
“I already had objected when the application was made and although I was speaking as an MP I pointed out national policy was against the wrong wind farm being built in the wrong place. I am hoping we will get the backing we want for local people.”