October 6, 2012
England

Turbine threatens Hockney landscape

Hull Daily Mail | 6 October 2012 | www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk

A tranquil corner of the Wolds immortalised in a David Hockey painting could be ruined by a wind turbine, campaigners say.

The wooded track was made famous in Hockney’s tunnel series, showing it change through the four seasons.

It was a centrepiece of his A Bigger Picture exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, which opened to rave reviews from critics.

But now agricultural business Harrison Farmers wants to build a 45m turbine just yards from the spot.

Sculptor Denise Hayhurst, who lives and works in the village, said: “I’m disgusted. It’s one of the things we were hoping would attract people to the area and now they’re going to put a blot on the landscape.

“I can’t believe they would take what’s going to be an asset to the area and make it as bad as they possibly can.”

Bridlington art dealer Corinne Young said: “It certainly should be looked after.

“We’ve had a huge haul of visitors to this area who otherwise would not have come and it’s an important site.”

Ms Young, a manager with Gallery 49 in Bridlington’s Old Town, said Hockney and his sister Margaret had been told about the development.

The artist has previously spoken out against turbines.

Last year, when nine turbines were planned for Thornholme Field, close to Woldgate, he said: “They are big and ugly things and they are completely out of scale.

“But nobody talks about beauty and ugliness any more – that is a problem.”

David Hinde, who campaigns against turbines across the East Riding, said: “These turbines show no consideration for our landscape and the promotion of our landscape Hockney is bringing.

“It’s quite clear the landscape is a prime income earner for us in this area.”

Mr Hinde was a private guest at Hockney’s London exhibition when it opened.

He said: “The paintings have made our landscape popularly available to the whole of the world.

“The area as a whole is not just important for people who live here but for people who visit.”

The turbine would stand next to a children’s playing field which opened in 2009 after a long campaign by villagers.

Bill Dyson, 74, lives in the village and is concerned the generator could blight views.

He said: “It will definitely spoil some people’s lives.

“It’s a beautiful village and this will add to the degradation of Kilham’s surroundings.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/06/turbine-threatens-hockney-landscape/