August 13, 2010
England

Proposed wind farm could be killing machine for bats

Cornish Guardian, 11 August 2010

Conservation-conscious council officers have recommended plans be refused for a wind turbine project fearing it could be a killing machine for bats.

Instead, planners want a detailed survey to be carried out on the likely effect of the proposal on wildlife at Bangors House, near Poundstock.

The move follows an application by Gill Faiers to install a two- bladed 11KW turbine on her organic market garden site and tea rooms close to the village centre.

But objectors say the turbine would be a killing machine for protected bats and other bird species because it would be too close to hedgerows teeming with wildlife.

Local residents also fear noise nuisance, the ‘flicker’ effect on nearby properties and claim the proposal is for an industrial scale turbine rather than domestic. Ms Faiers said the proposal was for a single small turbine, which would reduce Co2 emissions by more than 21 tonnes annually and reduce energy bills, and the location of the turbine had been chosen to ensure that it had minimal visual impact on the surrounding area.

Agents for the proposal say they will now carry out a detailed bat survey on the site and would welcome a site meeting with local councillors.

The report will centre on the likely effects on a colony of pipestrelle batswhich has been identified by the Wildlife Trust.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/08/13/proposed-wind-farm-could-be-killing-machine-for-bats/