Wind farm fever breaks out in Wyre
Plans for one of Britain’s biggest on-shore wind tubines which will tower over the Garstang countryside have been approved — despite public opposition.
The Kirkland-based cheese firm has won its appeal to build the £2.4 million turbine — which at 127 metres high will be almost as high as Blackpool Tower.
The towering turbine, which will bring green power to award-winning cheese company Dewlay, is likely to be constructed and working by Spring 2010.
The go-ahead follows an appeal to the government after Wyre Council rejected the plans in December. More than 300 people had objected.
But appeal inspector Ruth MacKenzie believes the turbine could “become a symbol of the Fylde’s identity, and something which residents and visitors would come to value and enjoy.”
Dewlay and its backers, Wind Direct of Lancaster, welcomed the go-ahead. Work will begin later this year.
The firm’s production director Richard Kenyon said: “We believe this is just one step that we can make towards reducing our carbon footprint and making a more sustainable business.”
But the decision has prompted anger from opponents who fear it could open the way to more wind turbines in the flat, windy, Wyre countryside.
Coun David Sharples, former vice-chairman of Wyre planning committee, criticised the inspector’s approach.
He said: “I am stunned and extremely concerned about the subjective way the inspector has made the decision. I fear it will open the door for similar applications in this area. There will be a lot of angry people.”
In her decision letter Ms MacKenzie says: “Some would see it as an eyesore, others an interesting focal point. In my view it would be an exciting and elegant landmark symbolising the region’s commitment to renewable energy.”
She says the benefits outweigh concerns over visual impact.
She also points out there is a shortfall between the current projects and targets for renewable energy projects in the North West.
Ms MacKenzie says: “The proposed turbine would play a small but important role in meeting those targets. It would provide all the electricity needed by the cheese factory and any excess would be exported to the grid.”
She says apart from places such as Garstang Golf Club, Kirkland Hall and the nearby public footpath network, it would not dominate the landscape.
She says the site has limited ecological value and there is no danger to any birds, bats or other wildilfe there or in Morecambe Bay.
Fears voiced at Wyre planning committee that the turbine and its blades would distract drivers on the A6 are also dismissed.
Concerns about problems which might occur to the small number of people living and working nearby due to ’shadow flicker’ would be dealt with by Dewlay stopping the blades for specific hours on days when flicker is predicted.
Blackpool airport initially objected to the turbine tower, fearing that it could interfere with its radar.
But the developers have agreed to pay for software to upgrade the airport’s radar amd the objection has been withdrawn.
As well as providing electricity for Dewlay, the company is hoping to use the turbine as an educational resource for schoolchildren and students.
The government has a target for another six more large-scale solo tower turbines in the North West by 2010.
There are already several turbines in the region, including in Morecambe Bay and at Caton Moor.
Lancaster University last week applied to construct two 125-metre turbines close to its campus near Galgate.
Plans for two turbines at Eagland Hill, between Pilling and Nateby, have been rejected, but the Dewlay decision could prompt a re-submission of that application.
The Green Party recently proposed the Fylde and Wyre areas should become home to scores of windfarms to meet future energy demands.
29 April 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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