December 8, 2011
England

Petition on turbines

Driffield Times & Post, www.driffieldtoday.co.uk 8 December 2011

A petition has been launched by villagers in Fridaythorpe to fight plans to build two wind turbines at a farm.

Farmer Nick Horsley wants to erect the turbines, measuring just over 34 metres high, at Holme Farm, on Fimber Lane to power a potato store.

But villagers have vowed to fight the planning application amid concerns over potential noise, their proximity to the village, as well as the impact they could have on house prices and the visual landscape.

And some residents are worried that if given the go ahead it could set a precedent for future wind turbine developments in what is the highest village on the Yorkshire Wolds.

Chairman of the Parish Council Richard Pinder said: “They are remarkably close to the village. I can’t think of anywhere else in the East Riding that has them this close.”

Last Thursday over 50 villagers crowded into St Mary’s Church for an ‘extra-ordinary’ Fridaythorpe Parish Council Meeting to discuss the plans.

Steve Milner, managing director of renewable energy firm Earthmill Ltd – the company who would be responsible for erecting the turbines – addressed the meeting to offer further information on the plans.

Mr Milner said the turbines – each measuring 24.6 m to the hub and 34.6m to the tip – would generate power directly into the family run farm, replacing generators that are currently being used.

He reassured residents that they would not be getting “another Lissett” in reference to the 12-turbine commercial wind farm at the former RAF Airfield.

But one Fridaythorpe villager asked: “Why do we have to look at these, why do we have to put up with them?, while another said: “They’re a load of trash”, and “put them in Wetwang!”, a comment which was met with laughter from the crowd.

“It’s going to effect the price of our houses as well. Come on, lets be fair!” said another villager.

One resident said: “It’s going to devalue all our properties,” adding: “In theory it’s agreed that if you allow it, it’s starting a precedent, could more come?”

Mr Milner advised residents to consider the accumulative effect of such planning applications because the existence of smaller turbines in an area could stave off larger developments.

“Wind turbines are happening, it’s a national thing and there are over 31 applications currently in the East Riding,” Mr Milner said.

“What we are finding is smaller scale turbines, from a developers point of view, tend to keep the bigger ones away,” he added.

Concerns were also raised about the noise that the turbines could generate.

But Mr Milner said the proposed turbines were the “quietest turbines on the market” and they would be at least 300 metres from the nearest dwelling.

Mr Milner invited residents to visit a similar turbine at another site.

Comments made at the meeting will go back to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, who has the final decision, before the consultation ends tomorrow (December 9).

The Parish Council also advised residents to send their independent views into the ERYC while some villagers decided to draw up a petition to circulate around the village.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/08/petition-on-turbines/