June 16, 2011
England

Wind farm plans anger

Market Rasen Mail, www.marketrasenmail.co.uk 16 June 2011

Plans to build a wind turbine, which will be visible for miles around, have been condemned by local residents who fear it will create an eyesore if given the go-ahead.

Truelove Farms has submitted an application to build a horizontal axis, three blade type wind turbine on agricultural land at Snitterby Carr.

The maximum height of the turbine would be 45 metres.

Julie Giles, whose parents have lived at Snitterby Carr for more than 42 years, strongly opposes the plans.

Not only is she concerned about the turbine itself, there is also the impact on the nearby residents while it is being constructed.

“My parents would have heavy lorries passing their home for weeks on end and the small roads leading to Snitterby Carr are already in a dire state,” she said.

“This will not be a small wind turbine and I feel that if this proposal is passed, then this will lead to a wind farm in the long term.”

“The turbine will be visible from the A631 near Bishopbridge and Kingerby, and I also imagine you will be able to see it from the A15, as it will be quite a big eyesore on the countryside.”

And Ms Giles is not alone in concerns about the impact wind turbines have on the county’s landscape.

In a separate development, Caistor District Councillor Alan Caine also warned members of the town council last week that an offshore windfarm, being planned off the Lincolnshire Coast in the North Sea, could be visible from Caistor when completed.

A spokesman for West Lindsey District Council said concerns expressed in writing by local residents for the Snitterby Carr application included “those of visual and audio nuisance, the impact of the construction process and the visually intrusive nature of the turbine itself in the landscape.”

However, the period for receiving representations has now closed and officers are now “carefully considering the responses received,” she added.

West Lindsey development management team leader Simon Sharp said: “Matters such as visual impact and noise and disturbance are relevant considerations, as is the impact of the construction process and access to the site.

“However, an important factor that will be afforded particular weight is that of aircraft safeguarding.

“Indeed, the council has received an objection from the Ministry of Defence stating that the turbine will cause unacceptable interference to the air traffic control radar at RAF Waddington.

“Therefore, whilst West Lindsey District Council generally encourages applications for developments of renewable energy, it is likely that this application will be refused.”

Further information regarding the council’s processing of the application can be obtained from the case officer, George Backovic, telephone 01427 676662.

Under the regulations we should consult with people adjoining the properties or post a site notice up.

We went above and beyond the recommendations by putting up a site notice and consulting with residents in the vicinity beyond the application site boundary but we have to draw a line somewhere.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/16/wind-farm-plans-anger/