Wind Power News: U.K.
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted.
First victory to Tewkesbury turbine campaigners
Protesters fighting a proposal to build wind turbines are celebrating a small victory.
Wind Prospect Developments wants to install three 126 metre turbines near Upper Strensham, between Harbour Wood and Brockeridge Common.
It needs to build an access track near to the site before the scheme gets the go-ahead.
But the track was rejected by Wychavon District Council in April last year, a decision which has now been upheld by the Planning Inspectorate.
David Wallbank, chairman of the Strensham Wind Action Group, said: . . .
Wind turbines ‘are too close’
Villagers have staged a series of stunts to highlight the impact of building a windfarm near their homes.
Campaigners from Ardley, Fewcott and Fritwell, near Bicester, used a blimp airship and a helicopter hovering over the site to show how the four proposed 125-metre high turbines could blight residents’ lives.
The stunts came after Chesterfield-based energy firm Bolsterstone forced a public inquiry over its plans to build the turbines at Willowbank Farm, just south of the M40, between Fewcott and Fritwell.
The . . .
New wind farm proposal
Fourteen wind turbines could be built between Great Carlton and Gayton le Marsh, it has been announced by developers.
European wind farm developers, Energiekontor are investigating to see if land near Great Carlton and Gayton le Marsh could home 14 wind turbines.
The height of the turbines is not yet known and will be confirmed following an environmental assessment of the site.
However, residents who have met with Energiekontor representatives believe the turbines will stand higher than those at Conisholme wind farm which . . .
Nuclear bombshell blows up in Energie Kontor’s face
After a meeting of the Stop the Hyndburn Wind farm group on Monday (10th Jan) at the Dog Inn, Belthorn, it was revealed that there is a mine shaft on Elton Road that is filled with radioactive material. Members of the group said they would look into it and report back.
A further meeting on Tuesday (11th Jan) took place in which different members reported back their findings.
Firstly, during the period of 1949 to 1952, a mineshaft (of coal background) of . . .
Protesters ready to do battle over windfarms
Protest groups are ready for new battles after a wind energy developer announced when it will submit full planning permission for two south Norfolk windfarms.
Diss-based Enertrag UK will be applying for three 140m high turbines in Tivetshall St Mary in March.
Enertrag will also make a second attempt to get planning permission for a windfarm at Hempnall after their initial plans were turned down by South Norfolk Council in 2008 and then by a planning inspector following an appeal in December . . .
Concern at size of wind turbines
There are mounting objections to plans to build two huge wind turbines on land next to Lancaster University.
Many residents living near the proposed locations of the turbines, which would stand 100 metres high, say they are just too big for the site.
The 2.3 mega watt turbines would produce one third of the university’s electricity and would be built on land at Hazelrigg, to the east of the M6, if plans are given the go-ahead.
Glynn Woon, who runs kennels in Hazelrigg . . .
Energy giant invites public to see Lune Valley windfarm plans
Residents living near Kirkby Lonsdale will have the opportunity next week to meet with E.ON representatives to discuss its plans for a wind farm in the area.
The proposed wind farm at Longfield Farm could see the construction of up to nine turbines with a generation capacity of between 18MW and 27MW, or large enough to produce renewable electricity for around 9,000 homes There will be a public exhibition at Hutton Roof Village Hall on Tuesday (February 9) from 1pm . . .
A slap in the face for Constable country
We live in perplexing times for rationalists. The people of Suffolk have recently been presented with a “choice” by National Grid. You may recognise the proposal from the school playground: “What do you want, a punch or a slap?”
The “punch” is a new length of super pylons across an exquisitely beautiful landscape (Gainsborough countryside). The “slap” is to take them farther south to join an existing run of pylons that already straddles the village of Hintlesham down to the River . . .
Public opinion counts as wind turbine plan goes forward
Residents of Broughton Moor will be consulted over plans for three wind turbines on the former Broughton Lodge opencast mine.
A public meeting organised by the parish council is to be held in March in Broughton Moor Community Centre.
The date will be confirmed at a parish council meeting on Tuesday, February 23.
Council chairman Cath Ferguson said: “After we have held the meeting, the council will be able to speak on behalf of the village.”
Manchester company Peel Energy is seeking permission for . . .
Energy firm denies misleading planners during visit to proposed West Ancroft wind farm site
A local community group has accused energy giants E.ON of misleading county councillors during a site visit to the location of the proposed West Ancroft wind farm.
The councillors’ visit took place on December 16, and bales of straw were used by the developers to show the location of the eight individual turbines proposed.
However, West Ancroft Community Action (WACA) allege one of the bales was 200m away from the position shown on the planning application and photomontages, making it more than . . .
