Protesters step up wind farm plan battle
Campaigners are to step up their battle against a proposed second wind farm in Rotherham.
Chesterfield-based Banks Developments is expected to apply for planning permission to erect six 80-metre wind turbines at Penny Hill, between Ulley and Thurcroft.
The plans would fit in with Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s bid to see 4,000 wind turbines across Britain as part of a drive for renewable energy.
But people living around the greenfield site have started a campaign to try to halt the plans. They claim the wind farm would be an eyesore, and would distract drivers on the nearby M1 and M18.
Graham Hinchcliffe, a committee member of the Ulley Windfarm Action Group, said: “This is an area of natural beauty, popular with walkers and wildlife alike – those turbines would have a devastating effect. Not only would you be able to see them from miles around but they need to be rooted into thousands of tonnes of concrete.
“Turbines also cause an effect known as ‘flashing’ which casts shadows and reflections. Having turbines near eight lanes of moving traffic is a recipe for disaster.”
Rotherham Council has granted planning permission for the town’s first wind farm – three 90-metre turbines at Loscar Farm, Harthill.
Rob Williams, project director at Banks Developments, said: “We are glad around 130 people attended an exhibition on our proposals, giving us the chance to collect feedback.
“This feedback will be taken into account as we draw up more detailed plans, and we will be able to carry out a number of assessments over the coming months.”
A Rotherham Council spokesman said no application had yet been received, but said one appeared to be imminent.
By Ray Parkin
30 June 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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