April 2, 2012
England

Bronte Society in mast protest

Andrew Robinson, Yorkshire Post, 2 April 2012

Brontë enthusiasts are campaigning against plans for a 196ft high wind monitoring mast which they say will ruin a famous Yorkshire skyline.

Literary group the Brontë Society is among opponents of the mast at Thornton Moor, Denholme, near Bradford.

Banks Renewables are expected to submit plans for a wind farm at the site later this year.

Brontë Society chairman Sally McDonald has written to Bradford councillors urging them to reject the mast, which would stand for up to three years.

Ms McDonald said: “The Brontë Society cannot support the erection of any structure which, even if of a temporary nature, has implications for the future permanent defacement of the views of the Haworth moorlands.

“Haworth and its moorlands have international cultural and historical significance and any proposals which have an adverse impact on this significance are to be disapproved of.”

Local couple Anthea and Gareth Orchard are rallying opposition after founding Thornton Moor Wind Farm Action Group.

Mrs Orchard has highlighted many arguments against the scheme, including the presence of the Brontë Way, a 43-mile right of way which passes nearby.

She adds: “The development is out of context and out of keeping with the character of the landscape which is dominated by horizontal lines.”

The clerk of Oxenhope Parish Council, Elaine Pearson, has also objected, saying the mast will spoil the Green Belt and the Pennine uplands.

Over 100 letters of objection and a 200-name petition have been submitted.

A council report to the Shipley planning panel, which meets on Wednesday, April 11, recommends that the plans be approved. It says the landscape is already “vertically interrupted”.

Banks Renewables said the mast would have “no detrimental impact on the quality and character of the area” due to its “low visual impact” and temporary nature.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/02/bronte-society-in-mast-protest/