August 9, 2011
England

Turbines ‘could be detrimental’

Bridlington Free Press, www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk 9 August 2011

A group campaigning against plans for wind turbines near Thornholme believes they could harm Bridlington’s future as a tourist resort.

George Hornsey, of the Wolds Protection Group, said the cumulative effect of wind turbines on the coastline and countryside around Bridlington “can only be detrimental to the future of the area and tourism”.

He submitted a document to Bridlington Town Council highlighting the group’s concerns about nine wind turbines proposed for an area next to Thornholme and Haisthorpe on the Yorkshire Wolds – around 900m from several homes.

At last month’s full town council meeting, Mr Hornsey spoke to councillors outlining the primary concerns of the Wolds Protection Group – that the effect of wind turbines will damage the beautiful Wolds and Coastal landscape, it’s ecology and wildlife for those who live in, and visit the area.

Mr Hornsey said on behalf of the Wolds Protection Group at the meeting: “In a situation where the new proposals are being disclosed almost every week, whether single turbines or industrial wind farms, there is apparently no overriding plan.

“It is difficult to establish what the area might look like in a few years time, suffice to say that if the current known proposals all proceed – every aspect of Bridlington will be affected as will all the surrounding areas and tourist attractions.”

Mr Hornsey also told councillors at the meeting that a test mast at Thornholme had slipped through the system because of its location between parish councils.

Councillors at the meeting voted to write to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, asking to be kept informed of any proposals to build wind turbines that may affect the area surrounding Bridlington.

That was to make sure any recommendations they may make would be aware of the cumulative affect on the Wolds and Coastal landscape around the town.

This would provide what councillors described as a “unified front” with other town and parish councils.

As well as concerns over the protection of the landscape and its wildlife and ecology – especially birds, bats and plant life – the Wolds Protection Group also outlined in its report to the council the problems it believes turbines will cause to people living nearby.

This includes the noise of wind turbines, often worse at night with less background noise, problems with light pollution due to the flicker effect of light through the turning blades, and the threat to house prices and saleability of those properties near to a turbine.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/09/turbines-could-be-detrimental/