Wind turbine anger in Burton Joyce
Anti-wind turbine campaigners in Burton Joyce have set up a group to fight plans for three turbines in nearby Stoke Bardolph.
Revolt (Resident Villagers Oppose Local Turbines) hope to thwart Severn Trent Water’s proposal to build up to three 125m high turbines which will be 450 metres from people’s homes.
Both Revolt and Severn Trent debated the new wind farm at a public meeting called by Burton Joyce Parish Council.
David Wood, Severn Trent renewable energy development engineer, told 150 people at the meeting the turbines would be capable of powering more than 4,200 homes.
He said: “We are looking to generate more renewable energy. It will have a financial impact on our business but we are also concerned about the impact of climate change.”
Severn Trent has yet to submit a planning application for the project.
Mr Wood said it was looking at whether the site was suitable by looking at the impact on residents, the villages, wildlife and the environment. He stressed no decisions had been made as yet.
Mr Wood said: “I can’t sit here and say there will be a planning application or there won’t be.”
He added Severn Trent were keen to hear residents’ views at this early stage of the proposal.
Possible issues include noise disturbance at night, shadow flicker from the blades causing a ’strobe-like’ effect and the health and safety impact on the nearby Poplar’s sports ground.
Byron Crawford, founder of Revolt, told the meeting: “We feel the proposal is entirely unsuitable. We hope that you as a community share our concerns and join with us to prevent this from going through.”
Mr Crawford said the turbines could also affect house prices.
He added: “We haven’t used scare tactics but what Severn Trent is proposing is very scary indeed.”
Parish councillor Steve Cluff presented the results of a detailed study of the impact of wind farms, which included flying a microlight at turbine height, but said residents should make up their own minds.
Many said they were in favour of preventing climate change, but were concerned the turbines would have an impact on their daily lives. One woman, who did not want to be named, said she was concerned the turbine flicker, could make it hard for her epileptic daughter to visit.
She said: “I wasn’t sure about them before as I actually think they look quite nice but after I heard about the noise and shadow flicker I’ve changed my mind.”
Revolt members plan to talk to other groups which have battled wind farm applications for advice.
Evening Post
26 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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