January 11, 2008
England
England
Dozens of giant wind turbines could be sited in the Boroughbridge area under proposals being considered by North Yorkshire County Council.
The council is understood to be looking at the installation of up to 32 wind turbines – each around 400ft high – on land it owns in the vicinity of Boroughbridge, Minskip, Aldborough, Marton-cum-Grafton and Lower Dunsforth.
Harrogate Borough councillor, Anthony Alton has expressed his grave concerns over the detrimental impact that such a development would have on the environment.
“The landscape around Boroughbridge is one of the most picturesque in the Vale of York,” he said.
“Large numbers of very high turbines would dramatically change the visual appearance of both the town and surrounding villages.
“While potential sources of ‘renewable’ energy within the county should be investigated, care needs to be taken to ensure their development does not destroy our area’s natural beauty.”
Divided
Boroughbridge Town Council discussed the issue at their meeting on Tuesday where members were divided over the plans.
Mayor of Boroughbridge, Coun Robert Windass said: “It was fair to say we got a mixed response.
“Some of the councillors were against windfarms in any shape or form while some felt it was a good way to move from burning fossil fuels.”
The matter will now come up at a meeting with other affected parish councils next month where it is hoped a united response will be agreed.
Explaining the background to the proposals, a county council spokesman said the plans were an initiative by the Carbon Trust, a private company set up by the government to help business and public authorities reduce their carbon footprint.
The use of land near Boroughbridge has been earmarked as part of a national programme of windfarms. The council spokesman said the whole scheme was at a ‘very very early stage.’
Under current planning law, the county council must inform Harrogate Borough Council of its intention, but still has the authority to award itself planning permission for such a development.
11 January 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/11/concerns-expressed-over-wind-turbines-proposal/