February 25, 2013
England

Fears over wind farm noise levels

24 February 2013 | www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk

The developer of a controversial wind farm has denied claims that it is trying to change its planning application.

Villagers have voiced their concerns that the Co-operative Group – which is building the facility on land north of Edworth Road, Langford – will make far more noise than previously expected.

The company has confirmed that it is trying to alter one of the planning conditions for the building of one turbine.

But Langford Parish Council – which campaigned against the application to build the wind farm – believes this could lead to wholesale changes.

Chairman Tony Spencer said: “We know that with one turbine they want piling to be part of the process. This will mean hammering large steel girders into the ground using cranes and other equipment, which could be very noisy and particularly disruptive for nearby residents.

“Our worry is that if Central Beds Council gives them permission to do this with one of the turbines then they will want to do it with all of them, which will create a major racket.”

But Rob Ellis, sustainable development manager for the Co-operative Group, said: “Due to the unexpected adverse ground conditions we have encountered at one of the turbine locations, we have submitted a planning condition document to the local authority to enable us to install pre-cast concrete piles for the turbine.

“The planning condition document we have submitted is in full accordance with our existing planning consent.

“We have no plans to make any change to our existing planning consent and are currently focussed on continuing with our publicised construction programme.”

He added: “The implementation of pre-cast concrete piling is to ensure the foundation stability and structural integrity of the turbine.

“Pre-cast concrete piling has a lower environmental impact and would cause less disturbance on and off site than other forms of piling.

“We have no requirement to undertake piling at any other turbine locations on this site.”

A spokesman for Central Beds Council said: “The Planning Inspector attached a condition to the planning permission that no piling should take place unless details of that piling had been submitted to and approved by the council.

“The applicant has now passed on these details for us to assess.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/25/fears-over-wind-farm-noise-levels/