June 16, 2011
England

We've looked at 250 sites and this one fits the bill

Scunthorpe Telegraph, www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk 16 June 2011

Developers behind controversial plans to put up four wind turbines in Winterton have defended their proposals.

The Waste Recycle Group (WRG) has lodged blueprints with council bosses to build a wind farm at the Ironstone Quarry site.

The plans have come under fire from campaigners, who fear they will be too close to the homes of residents.

But the group says it has done painstaking research into the development and reassure people the scheme is a good one.

Stuart Markham, Waste Recycle Group development manager, said: “For more than two years now we have been looking into all our sites across the UK to see other ways of generating renewable energy on our land.

“Originally, we reviewed up to 250 sites across the UK to determine their suitability to generate wind energy.

“Through research on these sites, taking into account wind speeds, residential homes, electricity grids, aviation, heritage and landscape, we narrowed our most feasible sites down to around 30.

“At this stage, professional wind consultants were appointed to speak to planners and carry out a more in-depth study of the sites’ suitability for wind energy.

“From this, we have 21 sites across the country deemed suitable for turbines to be built – including Winterton.”

The firm says there are five issues that make the Winterton site suitable for the 127m high turbines.

These include good wind resources, ability to position turbines at a safe distance from housing, lack of nature conservation designations on site, good access to site and proximity to a potential grid connection point.

Mr Markham said WRG had tried its best to inform residents about the plans and has held public exhibitions.

He said: “We have worked closely with the town and parish councils in Winterton and the surrounding areas.

“We have provided posters and leaflets around the town to each home to make people aware of what we want to do.

“We are not trying to hide anything – our information and plans are for the public to see online.

“We have previously held public exhibitions at West Halton Village Hall and Winterton Rangers Football Club.

“If our plans go ahead, then the project would generate renewable energy to around 5,475 homes.

“It would include the settlements of Winterton, Burton-Upon-Stather, Winteringham, Alkborough, Whitton and Flixborough, plus an additional 1,042 homes elsewhere.”

Campaign group Winterton Against Inappropriate Turbines is fighting to stop the plans and many residents and the town council have backed their campaign.

The final decision will be made by North Lincolnshire Council later in the year.

To view the planning application, visit www.planning.northlincs.gov.uk, using reference WF/2011/0528, or visit www.wrg.co.uk/wind

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/16/weve-looked-at-250-sites-and-this-one-fits-the-bill/