October 10, 2011
England

University ‘faces a fight’ over wind turbine plans

Nottingham Post, www.thisisnottingham.co.uk 7 October 2011

The University of Nottingham has “a fight on its hands” if it presses on with plans to build wind turbines near Clifton Grove.

Residents are planning demonstrations and a leaflet drop over the plan for Grove Farm, near Clifton Bridge.

Residents are worried the turbines would be noisy and hit property prices.

There are also concerns about the impact on wildlife.

Terry Butt, of Twyford Gardens, said: “They have got a fight on their hands. We are not going to lie down and be walked over. We are hopefully going to hold a demonstration and get our voice heard.

“We are going to let the council know that we are not just sitting down and allowing what’s going on. There is all sorts of wildlife here, and there have already been birds killed by a wind speed indicator that has been put up.”

The university has submitted a planning application to the city council and Broxtowe Borough Council to build three 126-metre turbines, which would generate a third of the electricity needed for the University Park campus.

During consultation on the plans the Clifton Grove Community Group distributed more than 3,000 leaflets.

Colin Morris, of Wichnor Close, said: “The visual impact on all of our houses is extreme. It is one of the few pieces of greenery that we have in Nottingham and one of the most beautiful. It is going to be covered in three large wind turbines and lots of concrete.”

Mr Morris, 83, who has lived in his home since 1976, added: “The electricity generated by the turbines is going straight to the university, so they will be of no value to people in Clifton and we will be losing money on our homes.”

Peter Rosenthal, of Wichnor Close, said: “We are worried about shadow flicker from the blades turning, as people can be sensitive to that. We are also concerned about low level, low frequency noise, with bass notes that go through walls.

“One of my neighbours had his property valued and the estate agent knocked ten per cent off because of the turbines.”

The university said: “There are strict guidelines on wind turbines, and the planning applications address in detail a wide variety of issues including wildlife, visual impact and noise.

“These form part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, which is being considered by the planning authorities and expert external bodies such as Natural England and the Notts Wildlife Trust.

“UK studies show no clear relationship between the proximity of wind farms and property prices. A House of Commons briefing paper from November 2010 said ‘it is not clear that house prices are reduced when a wind farm is built nearby’.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/10/university-faces-a-fight-over-wind-turbine-plans/