September 15, 2008
England

'Wind farm would be too close to homes'

15 September 2008 | www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk

A major rural campaign group is fighting controversial wind farm plans for an East Yorkshire village.

The East Riding group of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has thrown its weight behind opposition to the scheme at Withernwick, near Hornsea.

Energy business Energiekontor UK Ltd wants planning permission to build nine wind turbines on arable farmland in Aldbrough Road on the edge of the village.

Parish councils in the area, including Withernwick, Aldbrough, Hatfield, Ellerby and Sproatley, have also objected to the latest wind farm proposals.

The CPRE says the 364ft (111m) turbines would disrupt village life and pose a threat to rare wildlife at the nearby Lambwath Meadows nature haven.

Margaret Cockbill, East Riding CPRE chairman, said: “The proposed turbines will be far too close for comfort to village homes.

“We believe noise and light disturbance from the wind farm will adversely affect the lives of people living in Withernwick and neighbouring villages.

“Plans have recently been passed for gas caverns to be excavated at Withernwick, but this second large-scale development will dominate this tranquil, attractive rural village and landscape.”

The CPRE says nearby Lambwath Meadows, a Site of Special Scientific Interest owned by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, is home to rare species like red kites, great crested newts and pipisrelle bats.

Mrs Cockbill, of Beverley, said: “We are very concerned about the effect the turbines will have on wildlife.

“Many other protected species of bird which fly over the area could be killed by the huge rotating blades on the turbines.”

Council planning officers are recommending that the latest nine turbine scheme should be rejected when it goes before the planning committee on Thursday.

An Energiekontor spokesman said the wind farm would contribute towards regional renewable energy targets.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/09/15/wind-farm-would-be-too-close-to-homes/