April 30, 2012
England

Powerless in the face of wind farm application?

Rochdale Online, www.rochdaleonline.co.uk 30 April 2012

A countryside pressure group is calling on the government to say how many more onshore wind turbines will be built and where they will be located.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) says its groups feel “powerless in the face of speculative applications from big, well-funded developers”.

Some 1,800 wind turbines more than 30 metres tall (100ft) are currently planned in England and locally Peel Holdings is “exploring the possibility” of expanding the Scout Moor wind farm.

The CPRE wants to know when the applications will stop and is asking the government to develop a strategic plan which limits the number of turbines in sensitive rural landscapes.

It also wants planning inspectors to put more weight on local concerns.

Norden councillor Ann Metcalfe has vowed to do all she can to prevent the expansion of Scout Moor, she said: “So, who benefits from the turbines and by how much?

“The rated capacity quoted is only when they work 24/7 and you only need to glance across the sky line each day to see they are hardly ever all working. However, the subsidies keep coming in for the developer.

“We as local residents have to pay for the loss of our moorland and landscape and yet pay again to support the subsidies.”

CPRE Chief executive Shaun Spiers said: “Communities feel increasingly powerless in the face of speculative applications from big, well-funded developers, and this risks undermining public support for the measures needed to tackle climate change.

“The government must take responsibility and set out far more clearly a framework for meeting the country’s energy needs while protecting our matchless countryside,” he added.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/30/powerless-in-the-face-of-wind-farm-application/