May 13, 2011
England

Wind farm fear for residents of scenic villages as energy firm investigates site

www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk 13 May 2011

Two of the East Riding’s most desirable villages could be blighted by a wind farm, it is feared.

Renewable energy company Infinis, which operates 12 turbines at Lissett, is investigating the potential for a wind farm between Bishop Burton and Walkington.

The move has sparked fears that a large wind farm will be developed on up to 250 acres of land between the villages.

Infinis will soon be submitting a planning application for a temporary wind monitoring mast to test suitability of land at Cold Harbour Farm, Bishop Burton, south of the A1079.

But the prospect of a wind farm has sparked concern in the villages.

David Oxtoby, who has chaired Bishop Burton Parish Council for 25 years, lives at Raikes Farm, next to the potential wind farm site.

He said: “It is lovely scenery, it’s some of the best countryside around.

“You would be able to see a wind farm from all around.”

Mr Oxtoby fears a wind farm could be on a similar scale to Lissett’s 125-metre high turbines, which are visible some 15 miles away.

He said: “I don’t like turbines. I can see those at Lissett, they stick out like sore thumbs.

“They are like a dozen biros stuck on end.

“They spoil the countryside. I would be totally against it here.”

Infinis has held initial talks with parish councils in the area, including Bishop Burton, Walkington and Newbald.

Walkington Parish Council chairman David Drew said: “There will be quite a bit of objection.

“A lot of our parish councillors were against it.”

Mr Drew said a wind farm would be “highly visible” on the Wolds.

He said: “It really would be stood up on a hill.

“Whilst I am not personally against it I would say there are better places because it would be highly visible.”

Newbald Parish Council chairman Chris Waites said the site is outside the parish boundary but members were still concerned.

He said: “Our general opinion was that we are starting to get a little bit concerned about the proliferation of wind farm projects in the area and the impact that will have on the overall amenity value and character of the area.

“We already have two wind farm projects close to us at Newbald.

“We are just starting to feel we may be getting inundated with them.”

Land owner Paul Hayward confirmed that up to 250 acres of his land at Cold Harbour Farm is being looked at by Infinis.

He said: “We were approached and it is still at the early evaluation stages.

“The size and scale, if it ever results in a planning application, is undecided.”

Mr Hayward added that the land, which is close to the top of the Wolds, is already dominated by a row of large electricity pylons.

Infinis said a planning application is to be lodged with East Riding Council for a wind monitoring mast to help determine whether the wind speeds are suitable for turbines.

The number of turbines would depend on the outcome of the feasibility studies but Infinis said “it is likely to be a smaller number than at Lissett”.

Letters will be going out to local residents to keep them informed about the process.

Tim Mockridge at Infinis said: “As at Lissett we are fully committed to keeping the community informed and involved in the process as our studies progress.

“Residents and community groups will have numerous opportunities to make their views known to the project team at public exhibitions and through email, freepost and various meetings.

“We look forward to working alongside the community to develop a sensitively designed wind farm if our studies prove successful.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/13/wind-farm-fear-for-residents-of-scenic-villages-as-energy-firm-investigates-site/