October 22, 2011
England

Huddersfield villagers’ wind turbine cluster concerns

by Nick Lavigueur, Hudd Sat, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, www.examiner.co.uk 22 October 2011

A rash of wind turbine applications around a village has caused concern among the residents.

Six separate farmers have applied for permission to erect 25m (75ft) tall turbines in the HD8 postcode in the past six months.

And now there is a call for a “proper” wind turbine strategy for the future rather than just a spate of individual planning applications.

Two, those at Woodrow Farm, near Shelley and Broadstone Lodge Farm near Birdsedge, have already been given the green light.

But three near Shelley – Quarry Farm, Bark House Farm and Standinghurst Farm – and one at Delph House Farm, near High Flatts, could still be approved.

Residents flocked to a public meeting at Shelley Methodist Church to speak to their local councillors about the escalation of turbines in the area.

Chairman of Shelley Community Association, Ann Priestman, said there had been a large turn out of people opposed to the turbines.

She said: “The community association is not forming any opposition, but we are giving out information so people can make up their own minds, as we realised how few people knew about these turbines.

“There were a lot of very unhappy people who live quite near to them who had no idea they were planned.

“They did feel there was incredible haste over this and not enough consultation.

“People feel the cumulative effect of these turbines will change the character of the hillside.”

Kirkburton Green councillor Derek Hardcastle, said while he backed renewable energy he understood villagers’ frustrations.

Clr Hardcastle, who hosted the ward forum alongside Tories, Clr Christine Smith, and Clr Adrian Murphy, said most people were saying they were in favour of renewable energy, but only when it did not spoil views of the green belt.

Clr Hardcastle said it appeared that farmers had realised they could cash in on wind power.

He said: “This has probably happened because someone’s been around talking to the farmers saying ‘would you like a windfarm – you’ll get so much money?’

“I’m in favour of renewable energy schemes but not when it’s alienating villagers.

“I want people to embrace green initiatives but it would be better if there was a strategy.

“Lets have some overall planning rather than these ad-hoc ones we’re getting at the moment,” he added.