TAKING A STAND: Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group members

TAKING A STAND: Pontefract Windfarm Action Group members (from left) David Smith, Graham Fletcher, Tony Hames and David Holmes, at their stall on Saturday.

No to wind farm

SHOPPERS in Pontefract added their Voices to a campaign against a wind farm near Darrington.

  Members of Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group (PWAG) set up a stall on Market Place in Pontefract on Saturday to drum up support in their bid to halt a proposoal by Banks Developments for a six-turbine windfarm off Westfield Lane.

Tony Hames, PWAG chairman, said: "We did a stall two weeks ago too when we got 400 signatures, so together that's more than 1,000 extra signatures.

  "It was quite successful.  A lot of people wanted to talk about it.

  "We have mainly been campaigning around Darrington, Carleton and East Hardwick but we found people from other areas were particularly interested.  I think people are concerned, having seen the test mast go up and realising that it's only half the height of the actual wind farm.

  "We just wanted to raise awareness.  We want a balanced view going into the council so they can make a proper decision.  It must be hard for them, being under pressure from the government who are saying that we need to get energy from somewhere renewable.

  "Everyone agrees with that, but we need to choose the right place.  That's what we are saying - that this particular site has never been a good site as it's far too close to properties."

For details about the windfarm, including how to object, visit Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group's website at http://www.pwag.co.uk/ or telephone 01977620361.