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.
Windfarm effects were “grossly” underestimated
Neighbouring village residents have hit out at the “gross underestimation” of the effect the Neilston Community Windfarm has had on their lives. Uplawmoor residents, who were consistently opposed to the 4 large turbines in Neilston, are calling for action after claims the windfarm proved more visually intrusive from local homes than early illustrative impressions suggested. Aileen Jackson, Chairwoman of the Windfarm Protest Group in Uplawmoor, has already taken a petition to the Scottish Public Petitions Committee calling for future wind . . .
Urgent call to tear down school-based turbines
Head teachers are being asked to venture out into hurricane-force conditions to switch off wind turbines in school playgrounds. That is one of the claims of far north anti-wind farm protesters who have heavily criticised Highland Council’s safety review of school-based turbines. This week, after releasing its own report, Caithness Windfarm Information Forum (CWIF) is calling on the playground turbines to be removed pending an independent assessment of the risks they pose. CWIF chairman Stuart Young said yesterday the council’s . . .
£1.5 million paid to shut down new Scottish wind farm
One of the big six electricity companies was paid nearly £1.5 million to shut down a new Scottish wind farm before it was even formally completed, the Daily Telegraph can disclose. EDF Energy was handed £1.45 million between April 29 and May 15 to shut down turbines on the Fallago Rig wind farm, which is on land owned by the Duke of Roxburghe in Scottish Borders. The “constraint payments”, which ultimately come from electricity bills, are given to wind farm . . .
Call for safety review over school turbines
Highland Council switched off all their school turbines in May of last year after independent consultants said extra safety measures might be needed. Site-specific risk assessments concluded however that the turbines already installed at 16 schools were safe to operate. Although the assessments concluded the turbines could safely operate at wind speeds up to 134mph, the council agreed that no turbine would operate in wind speeds exceeding 100mph. Other measures, including erecting 6 ft fences, were also introduced before the . . .
Mull Hill windfarm plan rejected
A controversial windfarm proposal that would have been visible from Kinnoull Hill has been refused by Perth and Kinross Council. Members of the local authority’s development management committee rejected the planned nine wind turbine development, lodged by Force 9 Energy, for land at Mull Hill, Abercairney Estate, Crieff – more than 20 miles from Perth – with the overall tip height being 104 metres. A map of areas in Perthshire where turbines from the planned windfarm would be seen was . . .
Relief as Dyke wind turbine plan is dropped
Campaigners have spoken of their relief after plans to build a wind turbine on a road with a history of accidents were withdrawn. The plans were for a 150ft turbine on agricultural land next to Main Road, Dyke, just off the A15. Dozens of people attended a Bourne Town Council planning committee meeting objecting to the turbine. And Lincolnshire county councillor Sue Woolley (Con) spoke out at the meeting against the plans. But this week it was revealed that applicant . . .
RES Glenchamber wind farm condition changes rejected
Councillors have rejected an attempt to change conditions imposed on plans for a wind farm in south west Scotland. RES got the go-ahead for the Glenchamber scheme between New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce after an appeal to the Scottish government last year. The company wanted to amend some of the conditions placed on approval for the 11-turbine project. However, Dumfries and Galloway Council followed officer recommendations and rejected that move. The decision to allow the wind farm works to proceed . . .
Leaflet blunder by turbine firm
A wind turbine company with plans for Penny Pot Lane has been forced to apologise and withdraw misleading leaflets promoting the scheme. A complaint against leaflets issued by Kelda Water – parent company to Yorkshire Water – has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). The company has been forced to withdraw some of the leaflets and apologise after the agency agreed with complaints made by members of the public. The information flagged up as incorrect related to the . . .
Consultation attendees say a clear ‘No’ to Belford Burn
Villagers who attended consultation events about the proposed Belford Burn wind farm last week have said a resounding ‘No’ to the proposal. An exit poll taken every day that the EnergieKontor exhibition was in situ at the Bell View Centre found that 98 per cent of those who attended reject the plans. The ballot paper simply asked ‘Do you approve of EnergieKontor’s proposal?’ Three papers were spoilt by lack of name or postcode of the voter; four voters answered ‘For’, . . .
Turbine plan gets blown out
Plans for another wind turbine near Yelvertoft have been refused permission by Daventry Districty Council due to the cumulative impact on the area. DDC’s planning committee discussed the application for a single 102-metre turbine at land near Flint Hill Farm. The applicant said the turbine would provide power for the nearby canal marina, making it one of the first energy self-sufficient ones in the country. The application had been recommended for approval by planning officers, however, councillors argued there were . . .
