West Craven residents angry at wind turbine proposal 

Angry residents have vowed to oppose plans for a wind turbine to be built 200 metres from their homes.

Applicant Mr Michael Ashby wants to build the turbine at Yarlside Farm in Bracewell, with residents of Horton Lodge just on the other side of the A59 saying it is unacceptable because it will prove a distraction to drivers on the already dangerous stretch of the main road.

They also say it will have a huge effect on their quality of life with its noise, flicker and impact on their visual amenity. Pendle Council is set to make a decision on the application for the turbine, that will total just short of 20 metres high, in the New Year but objectors want the issue to come before the West Craven Committee so councillors can hear their case.

Horton Lodge resident Colin Lawton said: “It is apparent the turbine will be located less than 200 metres from my property and less than 170 metres from my property boundary.

“I am very concerned about ‘flickering’ that will be caused when the sun is behind the mast as this will affect not only the garden but my bedroom and the bedrooms of my four and six-year-olds. The wind turbine would prove an enormous distraction to motorists on an already dangerous stretch of road and for this reason alone should not be considered by the council.”

Ann Knowles Foster, also of Horton Lodge, said: “We are part of a small community of seven properties and we chose these properties because of their pleasant rural location. The turbine will be highly intrusive; visibly and audibly.

“While appreciating the need for renewable energy projects, it just seems unfair and a travesty of justice to site this turbine so close to seven properties which will be directly affected by the proposal.

“Butts Beck, that runs through the grounds of Horton Lodge, attracts a wide range of birdlife from herons, kingfishers, Canadian geese, swans and ducks, all of whom could desert the area if the turbine is erected or at worst, be injured or killed by the blades.”

Another resident, Su Lawton, added: “It is so beautiful here; the views are fantastic. The applicant has already applied for a wind turbine to be built closer to his house and has permission for it.

“If we are practising nimbyism, then is it not nimbyism for him not to have the wind turbine situated closer to his house? If no surplus energy is generated, it is only for the farm’s benefit and of no benefit to us.”

Mr Ashby said the change of location had been determined by the wind turbine supplier.

“We decided to go with a different company from the first application and they advised a different location to optimise the output. We did what they told us because they are the experts.”

The turbine firm, Universal Green Energy Ltd, said in an environmental report: “The Evoco 10kW is a small turbine with a blade diameter of 4.8 metres. Guidance from the Department of Energy and Climate Change requires a minimum separation distance equivalent to 10 diameters from the nearest occupied property. In this case this would be 48 metres. The nearest residential property is 200 metres away. Therefore there will be no adverse effects from shadow flicker.”

The turbine will generate an estimated 21,700kW annually, expected to contribute up to 80% of the current annual consumption of Yarlside.

The applicant said generating electricity will enable the farm to reduce costs and help sustain the rural enterprise – in turn protecting the character and appearance of the surrounding area. It will also contribute to the Government’s target of achieving 15% of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

Comments in support or opposition of the application can be made until December 29th at Nelson Town Hall or online at www.pendle.gov.uk with the case number 13/11/0589P