January 10, 2008
England
England
A family who suffered from sleepless nights thanks to nearby wind turbines are continuing the fight against the noise.
Jane and Julian Davis, of Deeping St Nicholas, decided to move their family away from the wind farm which was producing a low frequency din that saw them struggle to sleep.
The couple complained to South Holland District Council but were left frustrated after the authority’s investigations revealed that they were unable to distinguish between the sound made by the turbines and any other noise.
Mr and Mrs Davis were upset at the findings and say that it makes planning conditions, based on a government report which assesses and rates the noise given off by wind farms, unenforceable.
Jane said: “You may well ask what was the point in having a planning condition based on the report when the kit used by councils can’t differentiate between noises? Other than to determine that there is a noise of course.
“Well we have asked that question too as it seems to totally undermine the report altogether and makes a complete nonsense of any planning condition regarding noise from wind turbines based on the report.”
The family has taken its case to the Local Government Ombudsman, who will investigate the complaint against the council’s findings.
This was the second Christmas the Davis family spent away from their home, which is a farm near to the turbines, and they have now removed most of their personal belongings to what was their “sleeping house”.
Mr and Mrs Davis said that although their housing situation is a source of continued frustration they are grateful to the people who have helped them throughout the past year.
Mrs Davis added: “The good news is that despite being effectively homeless we have met some wonderful people over the past year.
“We have visited and stayed in beautiful places we would otherwise not have known about and wherever we have been we have been made welcome and slept well.”
By Andrew Brookes
10 January 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/10/family-still-fighting-wind-turbine-battle/