January 31, 2012
England

Residents brand RSPB ‘bird brains’

Filey & Hunmanby Mercury, www.fileymercury.co.uk 31 January 2012

The stunning views from several Filey landmarks could soon be blighted by a 150ft wind turbine, after planning permission was submitted for the masts.

In total, planning permission has been submitted to East Riding Council for three masts, by a pair of farmers in Bempton.

A study map drawn up by consultants shows that the industrial structures would be clearly visible from Filey Brigg, Filey Country Park and from Filey Bay.

If constructed, the masts would be the largest single commercial turbines on the Yorkshire Wolds.

And the proposals have lit a match under residents in the village of Bempton. The main focus of their anger seems to be directed at the RSPB, who have refused to object to the proposals, despite irate residents claiming that around 100,000 migrating birds would be “at great risk of hitting the turbines”.

The birds, which include pink-footed geese and whooper swans, converge on Bempton Cliffs, which is designated as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

However, RSPB conservation officer Dr Michelle Lindsey has said the charity had no concerns over the proposals on conservation grounds, and as such, would not be objecting to the proposals, despite the apparent risk to the birds safety.

A group called Bempton Residents Against Turbines, has now been set up to oppose the plans.

The RSPB were recently awarded £33,000 of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a new learning space to be based in Bempton.

The group are now calling the RSPB to have this money withdrawn for failing to oppose the plans.

Group member, David Hindes, said: ““We’re frankly disgusted with the RSPB.

“We’re saying no expansion should take place whilst the RSPB have this attitude.

“If that’s how RSPB protect the birds, why do they have a P in their name and why have they got royal patronage?”

A spokesman from the RSPB said: “We do not believe that the proposed turbines would pose a conservation threat to migratory birds.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/31/residents-brand-rspb-bird-brains/