June 15, 2012
England

Nine giant wind turbines planned between Bishop Burton and Walkington

Hull Daily Mail, www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk 15 June 2012

A huge wind farm consisting of nine 125m turbines could be built between two of the East Riding’s most picturesque villages.

Renewable energy company Infinis, which operates 12 turbines at Lissett, near Bridlington, has submitted a scoping report for the controversial development between Bishop Burton and Walkington.

The plans were first mooted a year ago when the company submitted a planning application for a wind monitoring mast.

Now, the scoping report reveals the full extent of the development, one of the largest rural wind farms in the East Riding.

The development would span 250 acres of land between the villages at Cold Harbour Farm, Bishop Burton, south of the A1079.

David Oxtoby, who has chaired Bishop Burton Parish Council for 25 years, lives at Raikes Farm, next to the potential wind farm site.

He said: “I am dead against these plans. For me, it comes right in front of my home.

“As a parish council, we have not had a meeting about it yet but it is bigger than I thought it was going to be.

“It is lovely scenery, it’s some of the best countryside around. The turbines will be very prominent and dominate the area.

“The village will be against it, I’m sure. There is already a feeling of irritation.

“But there isn’t a lot we can do until a planning application goes in.”

The proposed development lies within the Yorkshire Wolds.

Steve Hey, founder of the No To The Wolds Wind Farm Group, said: “The Wolds is being inundated with wind turbines.

“This is why we are pushing East Riding Council to make the Wolds an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The residents of Bishop Burton and Walkington have to be very careful and make sure the turbines aren’t too close to their homes.

“As well as visual impact, there is an issue with noise.

“We feel more policies need to be introduced to protect East Yorkshire from this deluge of wind farm developments.”

Landowner Paul Hayward insists no decision has been made on allowing his land to be used by Infinis.

He said: “We are still in discussions with Infinis. We have a lot of questions that need to be answered.

“We want to vet this thoroughly before we agree to anything.

“The scale of the development is something we are particularly concerned about.

“But what is in the scoping report is the maximum height and number of turbines. We understand there will be concerns about this and we have to be comfortable in the decision we make.”

Tim Mockridge, project developer for Infinis, has vowed to keep residents informed.

He said: “We are already getting responses to the scoping report.

“The next step will be a lot of engagement with the local community. We will be looking to hold some public exhibitions, probably in September time.

“If all goes to plan then we may look at submitting a planning application within a year or so.”

Mr Mockridge insists Infinis has the experience and know-how to carry out consultation. He said: “We are not a small company and we have projects all round the UK.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/15/nine-giant-wind-turbines-planned-between-bishop-burton-and-walkington/