| Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm | |
| Coordinates: | 50.9625°N 0.8203°W |
| Country: | England, United Kingdom |
| Location: | Romney Marsh |
| Status: | Operational |
| Commissioned: | April 2009 |
| Ps Units Operational: | 26 x 2.3 MW |
| Ps Units Manu Model: | Nordex: N90 |
| Ps Electrical Capacity: | 59.8 MW |
The Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm is located 7km (04miles) west of Lydd on Romney Marsh. It was built by npower renewables and cost around £50 million. The 26 wind turbines, each high, are distributed over an area of 4km2 with peak generation of 59.8 MW.[1]
The site has proved controversial and has been opposed by parish, district and county councils, the local MP and other groups as detrimental to the visual appearance of the Marsh[2] and a threat to wildlife. However, they were overruled by Central Government, and the turbines were erected in the period June - October 2008. The DTI indicated that a significant number of local people submitted comments in favour of the project, whilst a consistent 70% to 80% of the UK public support wind farms.[3] Some local campaigners still oppose the development, attracting accusations of "rural nimbyism" and being under the "sinister" influence of the nuclear lobby.[4] Conversely, campaigners for the siting attract accusations of "professional" self-interest and of hiding behind the truism that obviously renewable energy is beneficial.
The RSPB,[5] CPRE Kent and English Nature[6] all objected to the use of this particular site as a wind farm on environmental grounds. The proximity of the site to the internationally important RSPB reserve and the land's status as an SSSI were particularly controversial.