October 5, 2011
Wales

Hundreds sign up to support bid to turn off turbines

Carmarthen Journal, www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 5 October 2011

A petition signed by more than 1,000 people calling for a rethink on wind turbines has been handed in to the Assembly.

The document calls on the Welsh Government to legislate on nuisance noise caused by turbines – particularly when it affects people’s health by creating noise at night.

The petition, which has 1,074 signatures, asks for respite periods to be introduced when time turbines could be switched off.

Jim Sheppard Foster, a retired engineer from Rhydcymerau, said he was pleased with the response.

“Yes, we’ve done quite well,” he said.

“We’ve had a terrific amount of support from across Wales from actions groups, particularly in Powys and Montgomeryshire as well as Carmarthenshire – its really gone nationwide.”

He said the petition was first inspired by noise problems from the 10 wind turbines at Alltwalis.

Residents in Gwyddgrug had complained of a low hum on certain occasions from the new turbines and the company responsible had taken remedial action at the site.

Mr Sheppard Foster said the petition was now calling for respite periods at night on all turbines closest to people’s homes, not just at Alltwalis.

“There have been other wind farms but I think Alltwalis was the first in Wales where it was near people’s homes,” he said.

“I’ve tried to be reasonable in the petition. I am not asking for them to all be shut off at night.

“In fact, we lost quite a few signatures because some people wanted to use it to stop wind farms altogether.

“I am not against wind turbines at all and think they have a big part to play.

“I believe in global warming, of course. Nearly all scientists believe that but it’s the belief that we can do something about it that’s dividing them. I am not sure if a few twirling windmills on the Welsh hills are going to make much of a difference.

“Having said that, I do think turbines are right in their place – but not at Llanllwni or Brechfa.

“That’s not from a nimby point of view, I am saying not in anyone’s backyard.” He said it was acknowledged by the World Health Organisation that any constant low frequency noise, of the kind that can be created by a wind turbine, could cause serious health risks. These include sleep deprivation and problems in the development of children’s hearing.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/05/hundreds-sign-up-to-support-bid-to-turn-off-turbines/