September 15, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
Julie Hemmings
A decision on plans for a wind farm near Selby will be delayed for at least a month.
Members of Selby Council’s planning committee voted to defer a decision on 12 turbines proposed at Rusholme, east of Drax power station, until they have visited another wind farm to view similar turbines in action.
The proposed turbines would stand a maximum of 328ft, with a base up to 197ft tall topped by blades up to 131ft long.
The plans by Wind Prospect Developments have proved controversial and the district council has received thousands of letters.
More than 1,200 letters of support have been received from residents who would like to see a move towards renewable energy.
Objectors have sent 378 letters to Selby Council criticising the wind farm’s proposed scale and the potential visual impact of the turbines.
The scheme is opposed by local parish councils including Airmyn, Newland, and Drax, as well as Snaith and Cowick Town Council. Goole and Howden’s town councils raised no objections.
Yorkshire Water has flagged up a potential pollution risk to groundwater during the construction of the turbines and traffic related to the building work is of concern to North Yorkshire Council’s highways department.
East Riding Council asked if the total size of the turbines could be cut by a quarter but otherwise did not object to the scheme and York and Selby Green Party backs the plans, saying any negative impact on the local environment is outweighed by the benefits of using renewable energy.
Ahead of Wednesday’s planning committee meeting Selby Council officers had recommended the scheme’s approval, subject to a lengthy list of conditions.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/09/15/delay-on-wind-farm-decision/