November 26, 2010
England

Residents warn over turbines

By David Kessen, The Star, www.thestar.co.uk 26 November 2010

Angry neighbours are warning an area of Doncaster countryside could be spoiled forever if plans for wind turbines get the go-ahead.

Richard Cameron told Doncaster Council planning committee he was speaking for residents of Windmill Lane, Norton, in warning about the effect of planned turbines which could be built close to the village.

The turbines are planned by Origin Energy, which wants to give ownership of the structures to local residents through a community interest company, which would put profits into the local community.

But Mr Cameron said the site was currently a 25-mile, uninterrupted panorama, which would be spoiled by the turbines if they were allowed to go ahead.

He said: “It is apparent they are going to have a significant impact on an area of green belt, a site which has been described as an area of special landscape value.

“They may be saying two, but how many years before it becomes two and 20?
“If you have not visited this beautiful corner of Doncaster, do so now before it is too late.”

But Stephen Carney, from Origin, said there would be only two sites used for turbines and that they were being decided on the basis of consultation with the community in Norton.

He said 10 per cent of residents had already signed up to join the community interest company which was to be set up, to be called Norton Energy Community.

The turbines would be run for the community interest company by Origin.
Despite the concerns raised by Mr Cameron, the committee voted in favour of granting planning permission for 60-metre tall meteorological masts to be built near Southfield Road and Kirk Smeaton Road.

The only committee member who voted against the plans for the mast, which will test the wind speeds in the area, was Coun Jonathan Wood.

Mr Cameron said there was no doubt the site would have high enough winds for turbines as there had once been a windmill there.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/26/residents-warn-over-turbines/