RESIDENTS opposed to wind farms in Staffordshire now have government backing.
Planning minister Nick Boles says community views on wind farms should be taken more seriously. He is reported to have made the appeal to energy minister John Hayes in a private letter opposing plans for more onshore and offshore wind turbines.
The news has been welcomed by Staffordshire County Council’s environment chief Councillor Mark Winnington. In October 2012, the authority said large-scale wind farm applications should be refused unless they could demonstrate real benefits to people living in the areas around them.
Councillor Winnington, cabinet member for environment and assets, said: “The views of people who would be directly affected by wind turbine proposals have to be heard.”
