Planners ready to give go ahead to radical roof-top scheme

GREEN campaigners backing plans to build a wind farm on top of the Town Hall are due to learn tonight (Thursday) whether the unusual project will be blown off course by objectors.
The New Journal exclusively revealed last month how environmental boffins have come up with designs to put five turbines on the roof of the Town Hall extension in Argyle Street in King’s Cross.
Project organisers at the council had hoped the designs would breeze through the planning system and set-up the chance to generate a new source of electricity, possibly used to run electric-powered cars.
But reaction to the designs has been split and designers must wait until tonight’s (Thursday’s) meeting for a final decision.
While Greenpeace, the Green Party and other environmental campaigners have welcomed the idea, residents in the area have raised concerns.
Full correspondence is currently being held by the council’s planning office but it is understood that the Judd Street Residents’ Association and residents from Queen Alexandra Mansions have written in with objections.
The protest letters say that the turbines will be intrusive, generate too much noise and risk safety at the nearby Argyle Primary School – although the school itself supports the wind farm.
Other worries amongst neighbours include fears that the turbines will kill birds. Councillors hold the final decision but planning officials working on the application have already dismissed the objections and are advising that the scheme goes ahead.
Their dossier said: “Officers are satisfied that the turbines would operate without causing a material noise nuisance and any interference with television reception could be overcome… Appropriately positioned wind farms do not pose a significant hazard to birds, indeed they are no more of a threat than other tall non-moveable structures.”
Green Party member Sian Berry, who stood against Labour’s Hampstead and Highgate MP Glenda Jackson in May’s General Election, said: “We are totally in support of this. It is almost a test case because if it is given it would set an important precedent for the council.
“It would be a great advert that Camden can be a green borough.
“I don’t think the objections really stand up. The reports says that the noise will be no louder than the traffic. It’s a good thing and it would be encouragement to everybody o do a similar thing. I’m glad that the council want to do this.”
A council press official said: “This is part of the council’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy policies to try to make a difference to local and global environmental problems.”