April 21, 2012
England

We’ll suffer if wind farm is approved say Winterton residents

Scunthorpe Telegraph, www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk 21 April 2012

Renewed fears have been raised about a proposed windfarm in Winterton at a meeting of residents with political leaders.

Concerns were expressed about the plans for four 127m- high turbines at the Ironstone Quarry site, which locals are still waiting to see scrutinised by planners more than a year after plans were first raised.

The Waste Recycle Group (WRG) has submitted its plans to North Lincolnshire Council and talks are being held between the council and the develop over the proposals.

But the blueprints have come under fierce scrutiny from campaigners and locals in nearby villages who have raised concerns about the location of the site and the effects it could have on surrounding residents.

The Winterton Against Inappropriate Turbines (WAIT) group organised the meeting with MP Andrew Percy and North Lincolnshire councillors Ralph Ogg, Elaine Marper and Rob Waltham.

And although the developers say the site is a good one to produce eco-friendly energy, fears were raised by others at the meeting about noise and other issues.

Kevin Martin, a Coleby resident who lives near the site, said: “If these plans go ahead, if you were to look straight out of our bedroom window then you would be looking straight at the turbine.”

He said that the turbines would also block the light from the sun, causing what he described as a “flickering” effect.

“When the sun comes up, there will be permanent flickering for anyone in Coleby,” he said.

“We will suffer more than anyone.”

Alan Carr, a West Halton resident, “I have not spoken to any residents who supports this.”

There were also several concerns raised by residents about the effects of building such a structure on what residents say is hazardous waste – although the developers say this is not an issue.

Mr Percy was asked to attend the meeting to give clarification on Government policy surrounding planning applications.

Campaigners said that the new Localism Act, which aims to quicken the planning process, would make it more difficult for planning applications such as this one to be rejected.

Tim Robinson, chairman of WAIT, said: “If we are going to lose this then it will be because of Westminster. This is the biggest problem that we are faced with.”

Bosses say the location has good wind resources and will allow them to position turbines at a safe distance from housing.

They also say there is good access to the site, as well as close proximity to a potential grid connection point.

Local MP Andrew Percy said that North Lincolnshire Council would work with the parish and town councils on a neighbourhood plan as part of the Localism Act to ensure the views of residents were met.

The final decision on whether to accept the application will be made by North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee. A decision date has yet to be agreed.

A spokesman for Waste Recycling Group (WRG) said: “WRG wishes to reassure residents who may have been unnecessarily worried by the proposed siting of up to four wind turbines on land next to its landfill near Winterton.

“All of the turbines would be sited on solid ground owned by WRG – not on the landfill itself.

“Detailed engineering and environmental studies have been conducted, by independent experts, which demonstrate that the location is entirely suitable and will not adversely affect either the landfill, or ground water.

“Further, as part of the planning application a detailed noise assessment has also been completed which demonstrates that the proposed site will be able to conform with strict guidelines for noise emissions.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/21/well-suffer-if-wind-farm-is-approved-say-winterton-residents/