September 9, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
Plans for a controversial new wind farm in the East Riding have been altered after residents voiced their opposition.
Developer Your Energy had planned to build as many as 16 turbines at Sixpenny Wood, near Gilberdyke.
But the company today revealed it is now looking at building 11 410ft (125m) masts.
Project manager Matt Kelly said: “Following extensive environmental studies and also being aware of the concerns of residents, it was felt a reduction in size would benefit the overall wind farm design.
“All of these factors have combined to reduce the size of the wind farm from 16 to 11 wind turbines.
“The removal of the five turbines will reduce the visual impact of the project and minimise the impact on landscape character, while still providing substantial benefits in terms of the supply of clean, renewable energy to up to 15,000 households.
“Although this change will reduce the amount of energy produced by the scheme, the visual impact has been reduced by minimising the width of the wind farm and increasing the distance from houses.”
The plans are still to be considered by East Riding Council’s planning committee.
The new 11-turbine proposal will be unveiled to residents at a public exhibition at Howden’s Shire Hall in Market Place, from 1pm to 8pm on Thursday.
Mr Kelly said: “We have developed a scheme that will help the East Riding meet its renewable energy targets.
“We are totally committed to consulting with residents to gauge their views on our plans, which will help us fine-tune things before we submit them to East Riding Council’s planning department.”
Resident James Stevenson is chairman of Sixpenny Wood Not, a group that opposes the proposals.
He said: “I’m pleased Your Energy is holding a public exhibition, but I’m disappointed it has ignored our request to hold the exhibition in the immediate location, in Laxton Village Hall.
“It’s interesting Your Energy is reducing the number of turbines from the number it previously told us it requires to justify this project. It’s worrying this company hadn’t thought this project through because if it had done it would have known how many turbines it could fit in.”
j.howell@hdmp.co.uk
Links
Sixpenny Wood Wind Farm
www.sixpennywoodwindfarm.com
Sixpenny Wood Not
www.sixpennywood-not.co.uk
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/09/09/planned-number-of-turbines-is-reduced-2/