January 26, 2012
England

Noise monitoring at Fullabrook wind farm to begin next month

North Devon Journal, www.thisisdevon.co.uk 26 January 2012

Noise monitoring at Fullabrook wind farm will begin on February 20.

On Tuesday engineers completed work which was required to start the testing, meaning a 50MW power cap could be lifted.

Although the site can now theoretically produce 66MW of power, owners ESB International said the wind farm was not yet fully operational and would be switched off during some of the testing to monitor background noise.

North Devon Council said it would monitor sound at 12 different areas on the site, following a meeting with ESB International.

Planning conditions state a minimum of five areas must be tested but the council increased the figure because of residents’ concerns about noise from the turbines.

All monitoring equipment will be based outside rather than in homes.

It is expected the monitoring will last at least a month.

ESB spokesman Deb Campbell said: “We are more than happy to meet North Devon Council’s request to increase the number of monitoring locations.

“We want the monitoring to be as full and robust as possible.

“However, due to the extra monitoring requested by the council, additional equipment will be required. We anticipate this equipment will be sourced by the week beginning February 20, at which point noise monitoring can commence.

“Clearly the changes to the timetable are out of our hands and we trust local people will understand.”

The council’s environmental health team will now contact residents to inform them of the 12 sites that have been selected. They will also seek permission from those residents whose land is selected as a location for the equipment.

Council leader Brian Greenslade said: “We are pleased the developer has agreed that up to 12 sites can be monitored for noise levels.

“We consider this a very positive step in addressing the concerns of residents.

“It will provide for more noise measurements to be collected around the development and allow a thorough and robust noise assessment to take place.”

North Devon Council has created a Fullabrook blog so anyone can keep up to speed with the latest news on the council’s involvement with the wind farm.

To access the council’s blog visit www.ndcfullabrook.word press.com

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/26/noise-monitoring-at-fullabrook-wind-farm-to-begin-next-month/