Newborough residents cheered by MP’s vow to fight on - Cambridgeshire

From the Peterborough Telegraph

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson pledged to villagers in Newborough that he will not give up the fight to stop controversial plans it is feared will bring an eco-energy park and a Travellers’ site to the area.

Scores of people attended the event organised by members of the Newborough Landscape Protection Group (NLPG) at Newborough Village Hall on Friday evening (17 May) to focus views on Peterborough City Council’s plans to build a renewable energy park near Newborough, as well as rumoured proposals for a Travellers site in the same area.

A public consultation is being held over three options for solar and wind farms at Newborough Farm, America Farm and Morris Fen, with the options set to go before the council’s planning committee soon.

Meanwhile, a cross-party group of city councillors is considering the location options for temporary site where Travellers would be able to camp legally for up to a month before they move on elsewhere.

Mr Jackson said: “It was a good meeting and I felt a real buzz about the place.

“The purpose was for me to continue to gauge opinion from residents about these ideas and to let them know that I will carry on fighting.”

He added: “There are many reasons why I’m opposed to the energy park, chiefly that it will not be financially viable.

“In terms of proposals for a Travellers’ site, it’s the secrecy over it which worries me.

“Residents at the meeting said they would prefer a public consultation so they could air their views properly.”

Councillor David Harrington, who spoke at the meeting: “It was a very productive evening and gave the public a chance to get up to date with the matters.

“Again widespread concern was aired about the devastating effects the energy park would have on the local landscape and people.

“With regards to a proposed Traveller site there was also concern from people who live in the village about whether this will happen here.

“It was also beneficial to have Mr Jackson turn up and speak to his constituents about where he stands on these issues. He was very critical of the energy park and I think a lot of people were heartened by this.”