December 14, 2010
England

Last push to block Wolds turbine plan: Campaigners lobby ahead of final decision

Scunthorpe Telegraph, www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk 14 December 2010

Campaigners say plans to build a wind turbine site on the Wolds could blight the area.

Thousands of villagers, seven parish councils and one town council have all opposed the 18-turbine site, which developers want to build in Horkstow, near South Ferriby.

Opposition to the turbines comes ahead of the final decision, to be made by North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee tomorrow.

Officials at the council are recommending that the plans – which could boost green power in the region – be approved.

Supporters of the application say the benefits of the proposed development, in terms of the level of power that would be produced, would result in a significant reduction in CO2.

The electricity generated would be used locally and would help create a sustainable decentralised form of energy production.

But Neil Cameron, chairman for the Saxby Wolds Against Turbines (SWAT) campaign, believes the beauty of the landscape will be destroyed and the turbines will blight one of the most scenic parts of North Lincolnshire.

He said: “The campaign was set up when the application was put forward in July last year.

“Since then, we have been informing people about the nature of the plans, and whether they are appropriate or not.

“If the turbines go up, they will not only destroy the scenery but the Viking Way, a public footpath that attracts a lot of tourism to the area.”

Seven parish councils have objected to the application, drawn up by RWE npower renewables Ltd.

These include Saxby All Saints, Elsham, Worlaby, Wootton, Bonby, South Ferriby and Thornton Curtis.

Barton Town Council has also objected to the plans.

But the developer maintains the proposals are appropriate for the region.

RWE npower renewables’ England development manager, Clare Wilson, said: “We are confident that we have designed a wind farm that was appropriate for the area in terms of the location, number and size of the turbines.

“This was further verified to us when we received no objections from our statutory consultees, and the council planning officer has recommended the scheme for approval.”

Each turbine would have a maximum height of up to 125m to the blade tip. Each would tower over the Humber Bridge by at least 60m.

Jenny Hayes, of the Campaign To Protect Rural England, said: “We have a very limited amount of beautiful countryside across North Lincolnshire.

“There is a lot of nature within the Wolds and there is a risk that habitats will be destroyed.”

The developer was unavailable for comment.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/14/last-push-to-block-wolds-turbine-plan-campaigners-lobby-ahead-of-final-decision/