October 16, 2011
England

Any way the wind blows actually does matter…

Milton Keynes Citizen, www.miltonkeynes.co.uk 14 October 2011

Residents living close to windfarms will be paying close attention to an item to be discussed by Milton Keynes Council’s development control committee meeting tonight.

The committee will be considering a formal request calling for an increase in the distance of people’s homes from wind farms.

Currently, the minimum distance of a wind turbine from a house is 350 metres, which is outlined in Planning Policy D5 of the Local Plan.

However, residents are arguing that the limit of 350 metres was made back in 2001 when turbines were only 10 to 30 metres tall compared to heights of up to 120 to 200 metres that they can reach today.

Resident, Patrick Upton, said: “Successfully amending Policy D5 will have a vital impact on the development of existing and future planning applications for the Milton Keynes area.

“For example, the current planning application for the Orchard Way Wind Farm close to Haversham and Little Linford will be just over 600 metres from the nearest homes.

“This wind farm consists of five enormous turbines, each 127 metres high, which will have substantial visual, noise, and health impacts on local residents as well as the many horse riders and walkers that use the area.”

The protesters say they have a wealth of independent evidence supporting the case for much larger separation distances between turbines and homes, bridleways and footpaths.

Turbine manufacturers even advise their staff to stay at least 400m away from a turbine unless absolutely necessary.

Currently, Lord Reay’s Private Members’ Bill is going through Parliament which would mean the minimum separation distance between a home and a turbine is more than 100 metres or two kilometres.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/16/any-way-the-wind-blows-actually-does-matter/