June 8, 2011
England

Residents urged to fight plans for wind turbine

by PHILIP JENKINS, www.yourleekpaper.co.uk 8 June 2011

Campaigners are urging residents to fight plans for a 250 foot wind turbine on the fringes of the Peak District National Park.

London-based Temporis Wind has submitted plans for the wind turbine on land at Red Earth Farm, near Rudyard.

Families living near the proposed site, which perches on the edge of Gun Hill, just 700 metres from the Peak Park, have called the plans ‘glaringly obtrusive’.

Fred Bradshaw, who has set up an objection committee with Bill Kirk, says the turbine, which is half the size of Blackpool Tower, would have a disastrous impact on the local community and the beauty of the Moorlands.

Mr Bradshaw, who lives 800 metres from the site, said: “The wind turbine will be a massive detriment for the surrounding locality, devaluing properties, causing noise pollution, and the visual impact will be horrendous.

“This will divide the community, and has already divided some families. We believe it is in a completely unacceptable location and is glaringly obtrusive.

“We are not against renewable energy, but this wind farm will not significantly benefit the local community.

“The energy created will go straight to the National Grid, and the turbine will be able to be seen from miles around – it will have a massively negative impact on the community.” Campaigners have also hit out at the lack of consultation and possible impact on wildlife.

“The worst thing about this application is that it has come out of nowhere,” said Mr Bradshaw.

“There has been no consultation, no letters written to neighbouring farms, nothing whatsoever.

“It has been done in a very underhand manner, in my opinion.” Mr Bradshaw highlighted a possible impact on nearby nesting Peregrine Falcons.

“It is well known that we have endangered peregrines nesting on the Roaches just three kilometres away,” he said.

“Peregrines have a 20km feeding zone, so it is more than likely they could come into contact with the wind turbine that is a frightening prospect.” Leekfrith Parish Council has already objected to the plans, with the campaign group urging opponents to the plans to write individual letters of objection to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The plans are likely to be heard by councillors at the end of the month.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/08/residents-urged-to-fight-plans-for-wind-turbine/