March 12, 2008
England
England
Controversial plans for seven more wind turbines have been approved – despite complaints the current turbines are only working to a fifth of their potential.
Kettering Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the plans for Wold Road in Burton Latimer last night, bringing the number of turbines on the site to 17.
However, campaigners against the turbines said that the focus should be on increasing the output of the current turbines rather than building more.
Figures by Ofgem showed that in 2007 the turbines generated electricity for 3,400 less homes than predicted.
Brian Skittrall, Chairman of Bozeat and Lavendon Oppose the Turbines, said: “We have always claimed that this area does not have enough wind to economically generate electricity from wind power.
“These figures vindicate everything that we have said about the unreliability of wind generation in this area.”
The turbines will be the same design as the current 100m tall structures, each with three 33m blades, and the development will also include a 65-metre tall meteorological mast and power substation building.
Councillor Terry Freer said: “This should not be a question of efficiency – we have to give permission to shops without knowing if they will make a profit, and we should pass this without knowing how much energy it will produce.
“We are in an excellent position as we have had the experience of these turbines for a number of years and this puts us in a position to make a sensible decision.”
The council also agreed as part of the new site, a viewing area be built away from the A6, and that the turbines should be used as educational tools for school children.
The plans were also approved on the basis that issues of noise, light flickering and television and mobile phone reception were monitored once the turbines had been built.
Burton Latimer councillor Christopher Groome said: “The people of Burton Latimer have been very supportive of the wind turbines and are very proud of them.
“The issue of television interference and light flickering was dealt with very well the first time around.”
12 March 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/12/expansion-of-wind-farm-is-approved/