December 20, 2007
England

Power company allay concerns over wild geese

Bird lovers worried about the impact of wind turbines on a part of Over Wyre where wild geese regularly fly have hit out at a proposed energy project near Pilling.

The bird fears were just one of the concerns raised in a petition signed by 33 people from Eagland Hill, near Pilling, where Cornwall Light and Power wants to build two 400ft turbines.

The plans went on show in the village’s old schoolroom yesterday.

Petition organiser Julie Higham, 41, of New Lane, said: “The wildlife will be affected. A lot of birdwatchers come to this area. The turbines will damage the environment and then there’s the visual effect of such humungous turbines.”

But the company’s representatives at the exhibition said yesterday they were aware of the concerns about bird life in the area.

Official David Hoare said the company had carried out surveys in 2006 and this year.

He said the firm had been in touch with Fylde Bird Club, which had provided records of geese activity in the area.

He added the site proposed for the two turbines was away from the area where the geese fly and land and that the Fylde Bird Club records backed up that view.

He also said a study in Scotland had shown that 98 per cent of the geese population were unaffected by the presence of wind turbines.

The firm’s Steve Allen said birds took evasive action around structures such as pylons.

“We take this matter very seriously and are in consultation with Natural England,” he said.

He added the company would be pleased to hear the views of any other bird clubs prior to the application being submitted.

The plans are likely to be submitted to Wyre Council in the first three months of next year.

By Paul Marsden

Blackpool Gazette

20 December 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/20/power-company-allay-concerns-over-wild-geese/