Cold war dinosaurs block Daventry wind farm

Despite a planning officers recommendation for approval, councillors on Daventry District Council's planning committee voted 10-2 to oppose a seven-turbine wind farm proposed by energy firm Nuon at nearby Harrington in Northamptonshire.

The councillors cited an objection made by English Heritage as the reason to oppose the application for Harrington Wind Farm which would supply enough energy to power over 7,000 homes.

English Heritage had said that the site had significant value as it was formerly a Thor intercontinental nuclear missile site during the Cold War.

With the deactivation of the Thor missiles in 1963, Harringon was returned to agriculture. Almost all of the concreted areas of the airfield were removed for hardcore. Today, with the exception of some single-tracked agricultral roads that outline the former perimeter track, there is very little left of Harrington missile base.

Nuon's project manager, Graham Davey, said: "The majority of councillors voted against what their officers were recommending.

"We will of course be considering an appeal to the planning inspector and in doing so we will be examining the reasons for that refusal."