October 18, 2007
England
England
Despite pulling an application for nine turbines near Withernwick, developers EnergieKontor UK persisted with plans to build seven turbines at Monkwith, near Tunstall.
The company submitted plans for turbines 122m (400ft) high, which have been recommended for refusal from council planning officers. An objection by the MoD is seen as the main stumbling block.
However, Conrad Atkinson, project manager for the Monkwith site said he thought the proposal was “excellent” and sculpted perfectly for the area.
When presenting to committee members, he told them:
The wind farm would provide power for between 8,000 to 10,000 homes, with each turbine capable of generating up to 2.5mw.
That this proposal was the most fitting of all.
Coastal erosion was not an issue because by the time the coast receded to where the turbines are placed, they would have been dismantled.
They would remove all traces that the turbines had even been there.
The proposal should only be viewed as temporary as, although it would have a substantial impact on the landscape, it would only be for 20 years.
The issues with radar can be overcome by further work with the MoD and they would be willing to make a contribution to any updates necessary for the radar systems.
Two speakers opposed the plans. Professor Jerry Bantin, who represented pilots from Ganton Airfield, and Dr Brian Wells, from the South Holderness Residents Association.
They pointed out:
Flying to and from the airport would be compromised as the turbines would be in an area that was used for take off and landing.
The current planning permission for the airport was granted with these flight paths in place and that decision must take precedent.
The visual amenity would be destroyed by the turbines which are nine times taller than the next largest building in the area.
The only mitigation against the drastic impact is that it would only be temporary.
They are too close to the coast.
The consultation carried out has not been adequate.
18 October 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/10/18/monkwith/