February 29, 2008
England
England
Campaigners opposed to the Thorne wind farm have vowed to monitor energy giant E.on to ensure they adhere to conditions attached to the scheme.
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks announced E.on could proceed with the construction of 22 turbines at Tween Bridge, as well as 39 turbines at nearby Keadby, North Lincolnshire, after a public enquiry.
The scheme was opposed by a residents group, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Doncaster Council and Robin Hood Airport, which claimed the scheme could interfere with its radar.
But an agreement was reached which will see the power firm pay for an upgraded radar system at Finningley to overcome the issue
Doncaster Council received 1,500 individual letters of objection from protesters against the scheme.
John Walker, a committee member for the Thorne and District Windfarm Action Group, said the organisation would now do all it could to make sure E.on acts within the conditions attached the scheme.
The conditions state E.on must keep construction lorries out of Thorne and Moorends, install a noise monitoring system under the control of Doncaster Council’s environmental health bosses, and keep the noise created by the turbines to an acceptable level.
Mr Walker said: “This plan is so close to the Keadby development that the two of them will make the biggest wind farm in England.”
“I’m disappointed that it’s been passed, but I don’t think our campaign has been without success. We’ve managed to get the size of the application reduced from 28 turbines to 22, and there have been conditions and restrictions put in place. We will now be working to make sure they adhere to them.
“But it will be the end of the campaign because there is nowhere else to go. Developers can appeal, objectors cannot.”
The wind turbines will be up to 125m to the tip of the highest blade.
Work on the site is not expected to start before 2009. E.on says the 66MW Thorne project will generate enough clean, green energy to power up to 26,500 homes.
Danny Shaw, Head of New Business for E.ON, said: “We’re delighted with this decision as the scheme will not only provide local job opportunities, it’ll also help to fight climate change by make a significant contribution to the Government’s renewable energy targets.”
Don Valley MP Caroline Flint had initially objected to the scheme, but she was also appeased by the compromise reached with the airport.
She said: “My main concern that aircraft safety should not be compromised has been guaranteed by the provision of additional radar at the applicants’ expense.
“This has been a very thorough process and, as I stated at the inquiry, I have always been a strong supporter of wind farms and renewable energy projects in principle. Renewables are part of Britain’s future.”
29 February 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/02/29/campaigners-against-wind-farm-make-vow/