June 3, 2012
England

Councillors urge greater caution on wind farms

Skegness Standard, www.skegnessstandard.co.uk 3 June 2012

The Authority needs to take a stronger position on wind farms, says Lincolnshire County Council’s Environmental Scrutiny Committee.

The recommendation for the move was made last Friday, following additional new local and national policies and studies.

Coun Colin Davie, chairman of he committee, said: “Lincolnshire’s attractive landscape, its coastal and historic areas are the cornerstone of our tourism industry.

“A proliferation of wind farms would not only have a severe impact on the natural environment, it could also seriously jeopardise a major sector of our economy.

“Similarly, we think it’s unfair for residential areas to be blighted by wind farms, and are particularly concerned about the long-term damage caused to county roads during the construction and decommissioning of turbines.

“On top of this, onshore wind turbines are one of the least efficient ways of producing electricity.

“The fact that these developments are subsidised through energy bills is also contributing to the increase in ‘fuel poverty’, which currently affects a quarter of county homes.

“For these reasons, we’re recommending the county council resists the creation of any new wind farms in the county, and urge any company wishing to start a development here to think twice.”

The proposed new position on wind farms will no be considered by the county council’s executive members on June 6.

Planning applications for wind farms are under 50Mw are determined by district council, with the county council as a potential discretionary consultee.

Planning applications for wind farms 50Mw and above are determined by the Secretary of State, with the county Council as a statutory consultee.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/03/councillors-urge-greater-caution-on-wind-farms/