Byram residents urge Selby MP to oppose wind farm plans
Residents re calling on MP John Grogan to change his mind and back legislation controlling the distance between homes and proposed wind turbines.
More than 100 Byram residents living less than one mile from land earmarked for nine turbines have now written to the Labour politician voicing their concerns over noise, vibrations and flickering shadows.
They want him to support the Onshore Wind Turbines Bill put forward by Peter Luff to Parliament on Tuesday, requesting a 2km separation distance, as is the case in Scotland and France.
Campaigner Dr Howard Ferguson said: “There are more than 14 wind farms already approved or planned, which would create more than 200 turbines.
“It just can’t be right that this area is being targeted for so many turbines, within a few hundred metres of homes.
“It would be nice if Mr Grogan would be more sympathetic to the valid concerns of his constituents.”
Speaking at a public meeting with Byram residents, Selby’s prospective Conservative MP Nigel Adams said he supported the bill and urged Mr Grogan to follow suit in the hope it will become law.
He said: “Peter Luff’s bill simply intends to reduce the risks of these massive turbines being built unreasonably close to homes – and I hope John Grogan, who I know is a keen supporter of wind farms in Selby, can see his way to support this bill on behalf of constituents concerned about the impact large turbines will have on their quality of life.”
Mr Grogan said: “I will not be supporting Peter Luff’s bill, which I think is far too prescriptive in approach.
“If there’s one house within a mile of a proposed wind farm, I don’t think this should be the only factor taken into account. Each wind farm is different and you need to look at each application individually, taking into account the likely impacts of the particular wind farm and the characteristics of the particular location. For most wind farms, that judgement is best made by a local council.
“If the government is going to meet its demanding renewable energy targets, it’s essential the number of onshore wind farms is increased.”
Selby Times
6 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
The copyright of this article is owned by the author or publisher indicated. Its availability here constitutes a "fair use" as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law as well as in similar "fair dealing" exceptions of the copyright laws of other nations, as part of National Wind Watch's effort to advance understanding of the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development. For more information, click here.
