May 6, 2008
England

Wind device gets go-ahead

A wind measuring device will be erected near a North Lincolnshire village after planning permission was granted.

The 70-metre mast will go up on an access road to Manor Wold Farm, Horkstow, for a maximum period of three years.

It will measure wind energy in the area, with a view to deciding if it would be a suitable site for a wind farm.

The application was first submitted by Npower Renewables last year, but it had to be withdrawn in January to allow for a survey to determine whether the mast would pose a threat to birds.

Now the device, known as an anemometry mast, has been given the go-ahead by North Lincolnshire Council, with the condition it must be taken down on or before April 23, 2011.

Regional development manager of Npower Renewables, Clare Wilson, said: “Npower Renewables’ studies are at the first stage of a long process, although the site shows many preliminary signs it may be suitable for a wind farm.

“However, we will need to carry out further detailed surveys and if these early feasibility assessments, bird and ecology surveys and wind monitoring result in us proceeding, we would produce a detailed environmental impact assessment and carry out a programme of public consultation.

“North Lincolnshire Council has granted planning permission for us to erect a mast to capture wind data and we anticipate it being erected some time before the end of the summer.”

North Lincolnshire councillor John Berry, who represents Brigg and Wolds, said he did not want the masts to lead to wind turbines being built on the Wolds.

He said: “The anemometry masts are only there to test the wind speed but I still have concerns about the potential industrialisation of the Wolds and I don’t like wind turbines from a visual point of view.

“This is not a development I would support.

“The potential outcome is there will be wind turbines up there and I am very much against that anyway.”

Scunthorpe Telegraph

6 May 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/06/wind-device-gets-go-ahead/