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 and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Hundreds protest in Llangefni over wind turbine proposals
Protesters converged on Anglesey Council headquarters before talks on building gigantic wind turbines on the Island. Anglesey Against Wind Turbines (AAWT) demonstrated yesterday (Wednesday, February 1) as councillors met to discuss the four applications, which include a near 40 metre turbine in Bodneithior. An AAWT spokesman warned building commercial turbines higher than 15 metres could affect the Island’s £250m annual tourism income. He said: “People are coming here while the landscape is pristine, but will they still come when the . . .
Huhne resigns as U.K. energy secretary after being charged
Chris Huhne resigned as U.K. energy secretary after becoming the first serving Cabinet minister to be charged with a serious criminal offense in modern times. Prosecutors have “sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges” against Huhne and his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, of perverting the course of justice, the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, said in a televised statement in London today. The charges were laid after Pryce accused Huhne of lying about a speeding ticket nine years ago. The decision . . .
Councillors address Senedd on windfarms
Welshpool councillors have presented the Welsh Government with reasons why they are opposed to large scale windfarm development in Mid Wales. Welshpool mayor Estelle Bleivas and Councillors Ann Holloway and John Meredith went to the Senedd in Cardiff Bay last Thursday, along with town clerk Robert Robinson, and addressed members of the Environment and Sustainabilty Committee on turbine transportation and how it would have a disastrous effect on Welshpool and the surrounding areas. In a presentation given by Cllr Bleivas . . .
Stand up for environment – say no to wind power
We strongly support the all-party group of MPs quoted in your article “MPs call on Cameron to re-examine regulations for onshore wind farms” who are calling for the government to fundamentally review its support (through subsidy) for wind turbines, which they describe as inefficient, costly, and doing more harm than good. This timely recognition of the true nature of this over-hyped technology may possibly come just in time to save parts of Cornwall’s beautiful and extraordinary landscape from being ruined . . .
University in wind farm row
Scotland’s oldest university is at odds with a prestigious hotel over plans for a new wind farm which it is feared will damage a historic town and affect tourism. St Andrews University has proposed six turbines to be built around five miles away from the town, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. However, the five-star Old Course Hotel, which borders the championship golf course, has objected saying it would have a “detrimental visual impact” , particularly on the Duke’s . . .
Planners reject wind farm plan
A bid to site a wind farm of up to 22 turbines, each dwarfing the Boston Stump, on fenland near Sleaford has been stopped – for now. North Kesteven District Council’s planning committee voted against the 54MW scheme at Six Hundred Farm, East Heckington, put forward by renewable energy firm Ecotricity. Councillors claim it would adversely affect the visual impact of the historic fen landscape and would create a cumulative effect when coupled with an existing wind farm at nearby . . .
‘Small turbines lead to big ones’
Anti-windfarm campaigners fear two proposals for small turbines in the Wigton area could pave the way for larger developments. A design and access document has been submitted to Allerdale Council on behalf of Earthmill Renewable Energy Solutions, stating that power from turbines at Thornby Farm would be used for poultry and livestock needs, with the remainder sold to the commercial grid. There are also plans from Entrust planning consultants for a single 27m turbine near High Aketon. Anti-windfarm campaigners, objecting . . .
Kirklees MPs push for people power against wind turbines
A group of Conservative MPs, including Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Simon Reevell, have written to the Prime Minister over wind turbines. The MPs are asking David Cameron to amend the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure that local people have the power to object to proposals for unwanted on-shore wind farms. The letter also asks the Prime Minister to cut the subsidy for on-shore wind power and to spread the savings made between other types of reliable renewable energy production . . .
Honda makes a full U-turn on turbines
Campaigners have welcomed news car giant Honda will not appeal the council’s decision to reject its wind turbine plan. Honda and green energy firm Ecotricity applied to build three 120-metre turbines at the car plant in South Marston as a bid to cut its carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2020. The company yesterday announced they were not going to appeal the decision of the planning committee, which was made last October, and were instead going to look at . . .
Lingo Wind Farm application submitted
Plans or a north east Fife wind farm, costing £15 million to build, have been submitted to Fife Council. Welsh-based company West Coast Energy wants to create a farm, as the Mail has previously detailed, which would consist of five 100-metre high turbines on land north of the B940 road between Largoward and Dunino. To be called Lingo Wind Farm, the developer insists it would be able to power around 7000 homes a year using green energy. No timescale has . . .
