June 16, 2011
England

Close-up shots from 'wind farm trespassers' revealed

North Devon Journal, www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk 16 June 2011

Photographs taken by a group who climbed up one of the Fullabrook Wind Farm turbines have been sent to the Journal.

The photographers sent the pictures anonymously to illustrate their venture on to the site, near West Down.

One of them said: “We were not doing it to cause damage. We were intrigued to see how far we could get and were surprised at how little security was in place.

“There is a bridle way right across the site and people walk around it all the time but we decided to try the door of the first turbine after it was completed and we found it was open.”

They confirmed that contrary to previous reports the group were not youths but in fact 26-year-olds.

They added: “We just could not believe it was so easy to access – one of the site trucks drove past us and didn’t take a second look.

“We were able to get some great shots from the top and have even thought about selling them to raise some money for charity.”

Sean Farrell, Project Director for ESB, the owners of Devon Wind Power, said: “Fullabrook Wind Farm is a construction site and the health and safety of those working on the site and the general public is our main priority.

“It would appear that these photographs have been taken from one of the wind turbine towers at Fullabrook Wind Farm during the early stages of construction.

“We are concerned that unauthorised parties may have trespassed on the site and gained access to the wind turbines and Devon Wind Power are taking this matter very seriously. We are confident that adequate measures are currently in place to prevent unauthorised access to the wind turbines.

“However the wind farm covers a large area and it would be impractical to prevent public access across the whole site.

“We ask members of the public not to trespass near the turbines or any other construction equipment – unauthorised access could lead to prosecution for trespass and criminal damage.”

The group of trespassers are currently in discussion with a legal adviser to assess their position regarding trespassing laws and whether they will publicly reveal their identity.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/16/close-up-shots-from-wind-farm-trespassers-revealed/