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35-metre wind turbine collapses in Bradworthy
Credit: January 29, 2013 | www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk ~~
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A 35-metre turbine has collapsed near Holsworthy leaving the tower lying on the ground.
The turbine at East Ash Farm in Bradworthy was erected in 2010 by Dulas Ltd.
Dulas has confirmed this morning that a “complication” has occurred with the turbine and the situation is currently being investigated. They did not want to comment further.
The collapsed turbine at East Ash Farm in Bradworthy. Photo by Phil Ashmore
The Endurance Wind Power E-3120 turbine, which was the first model of its kind to be erected in the country, has a five year warranty.
It is believed the turbine collapsed during high winds on Saturday night.
But Bradworthy Parish Council, who are fiercely against the proliferation of turbines in the Bradworthy area, don’t believe the weather was that extreme.
Councillor Keith Tomlin, who spoke on behalf of the parish council, said: “The collapse of the less than 3 year old wind turbine at East Ash occurred during a night of unexceptional weather for the area.
“We are relieved to note that no one was injured but had this happened in daytime there was a chance of serious injury to workers on the farm where it was located or to the public on the road nearby.
“Of greater concern is that Torridge District Council have recently approved the erection of a second turbine of the same size and manufacture at this location that would have been closer to the public road.
“A number of similar turbines have been approved and erected locally and the safety of these turbines must now be questioned, together with that of the much larger ones that have also been approved but not yet built.
“This incident must be a wakeup call for Torridge District Council in their policy towards wind turbines and until the result of any investigation into this incident has taken place they would be prudent to halt the erection of any other wind turbines in the district.”
Marcus, who didn’t wish to give his surname, lives three miles from the site and drove past the collapsed turbine this morning.
He said: “It was flat on the ground, there were about half a dozen men in high vis jackets in the field looking at it.”
Others took to Twitter to share news of the collapsed turbine.
@putfordpom wrote: “Turbine down due to record high winds & sheered bolts. Unprecedented.”
The owners of East Ash Farm have recently been granted planning permission by Torridge District Council to erect a second turbine of the same make.
At the planning committee meeting in December, where permission was given, Joanna Maynard, from Stags acting as an agent for the farmers, confirmed the extra turbine would mean the farm’s 350 dairy herd could increase by 200.
It was also confirmed at the meeting the turbine will only be 130 metres from the nearest property, rather than the distance of 385 metres stated in the planning report.
The Journal has been unable to contact the owners of East Ash Farm.
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