July 3, 2008
England

Residents up in arms over turbine at technology park

Plans to build a wind turbine at the new Lincoln University extension in Holbeach have provoked anger among nearby residents.

Elderly occupants of Manor Drive are protesting against proposals to build a 14m high turbine at Holbeach Technology Park, which they say will cause excessive noise.

A planning application submitted to South Holland District Council by Lincolnshire County Council states there is likely to be minor noise heard at the nearby George Farmer Technology and Language College, which is 25 metres away from the turbine.

However, it also states the nearest housing is 60 metres away and is sheltered by trees so will not be affected by noise made by the turbine.

Manor Drive’s Mary Hayhoe (83) disagrees and says that the noise generated will have a big effect on the value of homes in the vicinity.

She said: “The first thing I knew about it was when I got a letter from the council.

“I am not very happy about it. My nextdoor neighbour did not even get a letter.

“It’s going to devalue our homes.

“I don’t see why they are building it so close to the houses when they have plenty of space at the north of the site next to the A17 where it would not interfere with anybody.”

One of the conditions placed on the Phase II development of Holbeach Technology Park by the district council was that the building was powered by green energy, with the council expressing a preference for a wind turbine.

Paul Wheatley, head of economic regeneration programmes, said: “We submitted information to the district council to show we can meet the requirement by purchasing power from a green power supplier.

“The district council, however, believes that the green power should be generated on site and has called on us to apply for permission for an on-site wind turbine.

“If there is considerable public opinion against it, then the county council would happily review the application with a view to not proceeding.”

By Adam Uren

Spalding Today

3 July 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/03/residents-up-in-arms-over-turbine-at-technology-park/