December 11, 2007
England
England
A wind farm proposed for Furness looks set to feature fewer turbines than expected.
Infinergy Ltd had talked about building around 10 turbines at Standish Cote, Marton.
But project manager Elwin Ter Horst says it is now considering putting up only seven.
He said: “We’ve done some more detailed site design. Ten is the maximum amount that fitted into the site theoretically.
“But Infinergy’s policy is not to build turbines within 500 metres of any dwelling.”
The news is unlikely to kill off opposition to the project. It had been claimed the wind farm would be “a major blot” on the landscape and create “unbearable” noise.
But Mr Ter Horst hit back at the claims. He says turbine technology had massively improved, especially in terms of noise. “And we are specifically looking at turbines without gearboxes so there will be no mechanical noise at all,” he said.
Mr Ter Horst said the company was looking at erecting turbines bet-ween 100 and 110 metres tall. He said there were already television masts and an existing “wind farm landscape” thanks to turbines at Harlock Hill and Kirkby Moor.
He claimed a lot of people like the look of turbines. “And we know from other wind farms that they do attract tourists,” he said.
Mr Ter Horst says it is common for people who live close to the site of a proposed wind farm to object, but once it is built they are usually happy with it. They hope the building of the wind farm will start in early 2010, and will take half a year to complete. He pledged to source local labour and talked about a fund for local initiatives.
He told of wind’s advantages over nuclear and coal and said the wind farm would be able to generate electricity for 9,000 households.
He claimed the company was trying to make the world a greener place.
Mr Ter Horst said: “Infinergy is trying to achieve clean energy for a cool planet.
“I want my future grand children to live in a healthier atmosphere.
“They are the reason I am doing this.”
Last month, Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee postponed for a site visit its decision on whether to grant Infinergy’s application for a temporary 60-metre wind measuring mast.
The next planning meeting takes place on December 18.
“Our initial feelings are that it is windy enough and the met mast will hopefully confirm that,” said Mr Ter Horst.
11 December 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/11/fewer-turbines-planned-for-furness-wind-farm/